Antiquities from 1st century AD discovered in Pakistan
By Shamim Akram - Pakistan Times Staff Reporter

TAXILA: A preservation and restoration team of the department of archaeology has discovered as many as eight antiquities consisting fragments including the sculpture of future Buddha, god Indra and his body guard belonging to first century AD.

The antiquities have been discovered during the preservation work at the ancient and world famous archaeological site of the Gandhara civilization locally known at Dharmarajika stupa and monastery dated back to 3rd century BC to 5th Century AD situated about 3.5 kilometers on North east of Taxila Museum.

Officials of the department of archaeology Sub regional Office Taxila have confirmed that these antiquities includes landmark, precious and rare discovery of a statue depicting "the re- appearance of Buddha".

Buddhist Mythology

Buddhist mythology says, Buddha would be re-appear before the end of universe. The newly discovered fragment is depicting the same scene.

Archaeologists are of the view that a being destined developed in to Buddha is called Bodhisattva. Properly Bodhisattva simply means a sentient or reasonable being.

Bodhisattvas like the Buddha are honored. As per Buddhist belief another Buddha will come that is Maitreya, the future Buddha. At the specific time he will leave Tushita heaven and come upon the earth to establish the lost truths in their purity. He is the only Bodhisattva known to Hinayana and Mahayan sects of Buddhism. It is said that a monk artist inhabitant of Swat valley visited Tushita heaven, met with Bodhisattva Maitreya, came back and carved the image.

Another precious and exclusive discovery is the statue of god Indra. The Indra god was the god of "nature" and according to the Buddhism mythology and Vedic Pantheon the thunder god Indra had attained a prominent position.

Buddhist adopted in to their mythology numerous gods but modified their characteristics and importance. At the time of the birth of Sidhartha ( Buddha) he was present. He visited Indrasala cave and put some philosophical questions, which the Buddha answered very easily, thus god Indra and Brahma entreated Buddha to start preaching of the Buddhism. Another remarkable discovery is the statue depicting the bodyguard of Buddha , which was named in Buddhism as VajraPani.

Fragment of Corinthian

The fragment of Corinthian capital was also discovered. Corinthian order was used in Magna, Garcia and Sicily from early third century pertaining to or designated the highest and most ornate of the three Greek orders. Its bell shaped capital enveloped with acanthus leaves characterizes it.

It became favorite order of the Romans. It said that a certain Greek sculptor got the inspiration after he saw a basked full of acanthus leaves over the grave of beautiful Corinthian girl.

Two female headless figures , one of which is depicts as dancing and three segments of relief of Buddha are also including the new discoveries. The archaeologists after the preliminary examination of these newly discovered antiquities here at Sub Regional Office ( SRO ) Taxila of said that these newly discovered fragments are made of grape black schist and green phylite. The viewed that these antiquities belongs to early stage of fist century AD or second century AD.

Gandhra Civilization

The site where these new discoveries have made also have significant status in Gandhra civilization. The at Dharmarajika stupa and monastery probably the earliest stupa in Pakistan.

Archaeologists say this stupa was founded by the “Dharma Raja” or the righteous King, Ashok of Mauryan dynasty in the 3 rd Century BC. This stupa was a source of inspiration and a place of attraction from the very begging of the Buddhism religion.

This stupa was later re-constructed during the time of King Kanisha , in the 5th Century AD. This site was only once executed by Sir Johan Marshall in 1920s and a large number of precious antiquities including fragments were discovered. However, after than this site was never executed.●