Lesser Known Fact:

Both the Margalla hills which surround Pakistan’s capital, and the city of Taxilla which was the ancient capital of the region, derive their name from the same source.

The source being a more than 2000 year old tradition relating to a ‘Dragon King’. 1/6

The city of Taxila in ancient times was known as Takshasila, its name being composed of 2 words meaning Hill of Taksha. Taksha was king belonging to a ‘Mythological serpent tribe’ and in Japenese and Chinese mythology is known as one of the ‘8 Great Dragon Kings’

These dragons are said to have actually been serpents which had the ability to fly. Taksha and his tribes used to worship these Dragon/Serpents and are mentioned in the Mahabharata as demons who went to war with a Vedic King of the Kuru Clan.

After the defeat, a court was held in Taxila. Here Vaisampayana, a narrator, for the first time narrated the Mahabharata. The ancient Sanskrit epic about the war of the Bharata tribe from which India derives its name; Bharat. This area is now identified as the Hathial Mound.

Although the king was defeated and his tribe exterminated, his name lived on for centuries until it was corrupted by various regional dynasties into Taxila. But the original name still lives on in the Margalla hills.

About a thousand years ago, Al Bernuni noted that the mountains of the region were known as Mar i Qilla, which in Persian translates to Fort of the serpents. The name existed in its form for centuries till being corrupted into its present form, the Margalla Hills.

I’ve said it once and I’ll reiterate, our entire history has been in a long hidden slumber in our language and names.

Reference:

Pakistan Through The Ages - A.H. Dani.