Sirkap (Urdu and Punjabi: سرکپ) is the name of an archaeological site on the bank opposite to the city of Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan.Numerous Hellenistic artifacts have been found, in particular coins of Greco-Bactrian kings and stone palettes representing Greek mythological scenes.Gondophares, the first king of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom, built parts of the city including the double headed eagle stupa and the temple of the sun god.A Greek religious temple of the Ionic order is also visible at the nearby site of Jandial (650 meters (2,130 ft) from Sirkap), but there is a possibility that it may have been dedicated to a Zoroastrian cult.The site of Sirkap bears witness to the city-building activity of the Indo-Greeks during their occupation of the Indian territory for close to two centuries, as well as their integration of other faiths, especially Buddhism.The Greek philosopher Apollonius of Tyana is related to have visited ancient India, and specifically the city of Taxila in the 1st century AD.
Main archaeological artifacts from the Indo-Greek strata at
Taxila
. From top, left: *Fluted vase with bead and reel design (Bhir Mound, stratum 1) *Cup with rosace and decorative scroll (Bhir Mound, stratum 1) *
Stone palette
with individual on a couch being crowned by standing woman, and served (Sirkap, stratum 5) *Handle with double depiction of a philosopher (Sirkap, stratum 5/4) *Woman with smile (Sirkap, stratum 5) *Man with moustache (Sirkap, stratum 5) (Source:
John Marshall
"Taxila, Archaeological excavations").