ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Museum has added to its collection a rare second century BC relic.

A special corner has been dedicated to the Jain’s votive tank, which was discovered from the Sirkap City, Taxile, while cleaning up a stupa.

The Jain period is undiscussed although some of the most significant remains found in Sirkap City are the Jain stupas.

“It is indicative that Jain used to live during the reign of Chadragupta Maurya. The tank was in use by the royal families mostly. It is also believed that the royal family had possibly converted to Jainism at some point, including Chadragupta Maurya,” Dr Abdul Ghafoor Lone, Director Islamabad Museum, Department of Archaeology and Museums, told Dawn.

According to the official, Jain temples found at Sirkap were the oldest in the region.

The Jain ritual tank is surmounted by small lamps at the four corners. There are traces of birds perched on the rims between the lamps and flight of the steps in the corners.

Special corner dedicated to Jain’s votive tank discovered from Sirkap City, Taxila

“The ritual tank is symbolic of the four natural elements and all creations such as earth, air, fire and water, and of all the beings that live. The earth is symbolised by the clay of which the tank is made. The birds symbolise air, the fire is symbolised by the lamps and water by the aquatic creatures within as well as water with which the tank was partly filled,” Dr Lone said.

The museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 700 relics, except for one replica of the 2,500 BC Indus Valley Civilisation ‘King Priest’. The original is in reserve at the National Museum Karachi.

According to the official, the Korean government had significantly contributed to overhaul the Islamabad Museum.

“With the assistance of the Korean government, the museum will have the first ever Cinemax with interactive displays and projections of all cultural heritage with special focus on Gandhara Civilisation. Visitors will find themselves surrounded by wall sized screens of 3D experience. The environment will be such that they will feel as if standing at the actual site,” he said.

He explained that 3D documentation of all Gandhara sites, including world heritage sites at Taxila and Takhbai, had been completed and videos shot using drones.

He said measurements of walls had already been taken to install the screens. The displays would open by next year, Dr Lone said, adding: “It’s a massive contribution.”The Korean government has already trained museum staff from across the country. However, the conservation lab at the Islamabad Museum was the only operational facility, also set up with assistance from Korean government.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2023