Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.17

v2.c13.s3.t2.17

Archaeological excavations were undertaken at this site in the early 20th century. Unearthed were coins, jewellery, gold items, copperware, pottery and silver copies engraved with Kharosthi words and a large number of Buddhist works of art. The golden age of the Kushan Empire during the 1st–2nd century CE was the high point of economic, religious and cultural activities there. Taksasila entered a period of decline after the 3rd century and the city was finally ruined by the invasion of the Hephthalite Empire in the middle of the 5th century. The eminent Chinese monks, Faxian and Xuanzang, both came here when they went to India on pilgrimage.