SIRKAP : THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF INDO~GREEKS IN PAKISTAN

Sirkap was founded in about 180 BCE by the Greek King Menander. It is located a few kilometres away from the Taxila Museum. The Jandial Jandial temple is nearby, a Greek temple with remains of Ionic columns- a fascinating remnant of the Indo-Greek presence in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. 

 Sirkap has the ruins of several temples and a royal palace. The double- headed eagle temple is one of the most impressive ones. Around its base, in the reliefs, one can see evidence of religious harmony and mixing of ancient Indian and Greek cultures. The visitor enters through the North Gate of a city once surrounded by thick walls. A straight, wide avenue, leads to the royal palace, like in other ancient Greek cities. The city had its own water channels, drainage, wells, market place, barracks’, and residential colonies.


During the period of Indo-Greek rule, several dynasties-like Antialcidas- likely ruled from the city as their capital.
The place is quite incredible, as one does not easily expect to see an ancient Greek city in Pakistan. The Greeks/ Indo-Greeks ruled the area for a very long period. Ancient coins have been discovered bearing Demetrius1's portrait.