POSITION OF KĀLAWĀN AND ITS ANCIENT NAME

Next to the Dharmarājikā, the Buddhist settlement at Kālawān is the largest at Taxila and one of the largest in the North-West. It is situated on the north side of the Mārgala spur, about one and a quarter miles as the crow flies south-east of the Dharmarājikā and rather less than two miles from the Bhiṛ Mound city. From an inscription found on the spot it appears that in ancient days its name was Chaḍaśilā, but no trace of this name has been preserved among the surrounding hamlets. Today the place is known as Kālawān or ‘the Caves’, from the presence of three small caves in the hillside, which the farmers use for the storing of their hay and grain. Near these caves, jutting out from the steep face of the spur, are various natural ledges of rock, of which three are occupied by Buddhist buildings: the largest of the three in the middle, and the smaller ones above and below it.

The position was a well-chosen one, having the advantage of being on the cool side of the hill and commanding a singularly fine view both of the valley to the north, with its winding stream and pleasantly terraced cultivation, and of the rugged overshadowing heights behind it on the south, while at the same time affording the monks a ready way of escape into the Murree hills in the event of hostile invasion. Water was obtained from a well which still exists about 130 yards from the western foot of the hill. Carrying the water up the steep hillside must always have limited its supply, though it was doubtless regarded as a valuable exercise and discipline for the novices to whom this duty fell, and it may be that help, too, was contributed by the lay brothers or others who came to pay their devotions at the stūpas.

REMAINS ON THE MIDDLE TERRACE

The remains on the middle terrace (Fig. 9) cover an area some 450 ft. from east to west by 270 ft. from north to south, and comprise a stūpa-court (A) on the north, with three large courts of cells (B, C and F) and other monastic rooms or halls to the south.