This museum, designed in Greek style, is one of the most famous in Pakistan, holding the most ancient value. The artifacts exhibited here portray the city’s ancient cultural significance and history, mainly holding artifacts from the Gandharan civilization from the 1st to the 7th century C.E. The construction began in 1918 by Viscount Chelmsford of Chelmsford.
The building consists of a central hall with two galleries, left and right. The museum reflects the cultural history and varied achievements of the citizens of Taxila during the last four thousand years. The excavations brought up artifacts from the early settlement tribes belonging to the Neolithic, early Indus valley civilization, and Gandharan grave culture. Recently the department of Archeology conducted excavations at the Buddhist stupa sited and discovered a painting of Buddha with a strong connection to the history of Gandharan art.
The official public opening took place in 1928, ten years later. In 1998, officials of Pakistan decided to expand the museum furthermore. The place currently contains up to 7000 artifacts ranging from jewelry, inscriptions, stones, coins, pottery, war weapons, and more.
