Photo: Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of PakistanField guides / Punjab / Rawalpindi / Bhir Mound, Taxila
Field guide · Heritage
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi District · Punjab, Pakistan
Bhir Mound, Taxila
The Bhir Mound is an important archaeological site in Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan, containing some of the earliest ruins of the ancient city, dating back to 800–525 BC.
Bhir Mound represents the second stage of Taxila's development, covering the pre-Achaemenid to the early Hellenistic period. The site was excavated from 1913–1925 by Sir John Marshall, with later work by Sir Mortimer Wheeler and others. Marshall initially believed the city was founded by Darius I during the Achaemenid period, but this theory has been questioned due to his pro-western bias and lack of detailed stratigraphic recording. Excavations revealed Red Burnished Ware and other artifacts, providing key insights into Taxila's early urbanization. The site, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Taxila ruins, offers valuable historical context, particularly through later excavations by scholars like Mohammad Sharif.
Why go
- ✦The earliest city of Taxila, from about 800–525 BCE
- ✦Excavated by John Marshall from 1913 to 1925
- ✦Red Burnished Ware and other early finds
Visiting today
The Bhir Mound in Taxila is one of the earliest urban settlements in South Asia, dating back to the 6th century BCE. It is under the management of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, with preservation efforts ongoing. Excavated remains include residential structures and city planning features, not a stupa.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, October to March. Bhir Mound, Taxila's earliest city, is next to the Taxila Museum and shows streets and houses rather than a stupa; May and June are very hot on the open mound.
Getting there, Next to the Taxila Museum, Taxila.
What to Do
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Bhir Mound, Taxila, within 5 km.
