Ancient City :;Sirkap - Informative & researched article on Ancient City :;Sirkap
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Indian Cities


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | RSS Feeds  | Free E-magazine
Indian Cities : Ancient Indian Cities l Metropolitan Cities in India l Indian hill stations l Indian Capital Cities l Indian Holy Cities l Port Cities in India l British Cathedrals in India l Indian Cities l Pilgrimages In India l Tourism in India
Home > Travel > Indian Cities > Ancient Indian Cities > Ancient City :;Sirkap
Ancient City :;Sirkap
The city of Sirkap was built by the Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius in 180 BC after he conquered India.

Street of SirkapSirkap is an archaeological site on the bank opposite to the city of Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan. The Greco-Bactrian king Demetriusin built the city in 180 BC after he invaded India. It was rebuilt by king Menander according to the Greek fashion. The kingdom of Demetrius consisted of Gandara, Arachosia, the Punjab and a part of the valley of Ganges. It was organized around one avenue and there were fifteen perpendicular streets, covering a surface of around 1200x400 meters.

 Double-Headed Eagle StupaDuring 2nd century B.C. Sirkap became the major city of Taxila. The city is heavily influenced by Greek city planning principles introduced after Alexander the Great`s conquest in the 3rd century B.C. The city once had a 6-meter thick, 5-kilometer long defensive wall made of course rubble which is now a ruin. There were temples, houses, shrines, and stupas all along the main north-south street.

On the east side of the street are notable structures as the Shrine of the Double-Headed Eagle, the Apsidal Temple, and at the south end of the streets is a palace. Sirkap flourished under several different regimes, beginning with the Greeks, then the Scythians, Parthians, and finally the Kushanas.

After the foundation of a city at nearby Sirusukh by King Kanishka of the Kushan dynasty, the city became less important.

(Last Updated on : 21/05/2008)
  More on Ancient Indian Cities...
 
Ancient City :; Aror Kannauj Ancient City :; Bairat
Sravasti Ancient City :;Sagala Hansi
Ancient City :;Kalpi Ancient City :; Bhinmal Urayur
Ujjain Kusasthali Jajpur
Champhai Ancient City :; Awadh Ancient City :; Kushinagara
Ancient City :;Sirkap Ancient City :;Udyana Bhojakata
Kapila Poompuhar Mabalipuram
Kundinapur Kekaya Kanyakubja
Jayantpura Devikota Vaishali
Kosala Panchala Dharmaranya
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Cities
  • Panchgani
    Panchgani is one of the prominent hill stations located in the state of Maharashtra in India.
  •  
  • Panaji
    Panaji is the capital city of Goa and also one of the major tourist destinations in India.
  •  
  • Idukki
    Idukki is a prominent hill-station and one of the districts of the state of Kerala.
  •  
  • Urayur
    Urayur was the capital of the early Cholas until the dynasty was revived by Vijayalaya Chola in 850CE.
  •  
E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
Free E-magazine
Subscribe to Free
E-Magazine on Indian Cities

 
Ancient City :;Sirkap - Informative & researched article on Ancient City :;Sirkap
Sitemap
Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.