<P> In the mid Fourth Century CE, the Gupta Empire occupied the territories in Eastern Gandhara, establishing a Kumaratya's post at Taxila . The City became well known for its Trade links - including Silk, Sandalwood, Horses, Cotton, Silverware, Pearls, and Spices . It is during this time that the City heavily features in Classical Indian Literature - both as a centre of Culture as well as a militarised border City . </P> <P> Taxila's university remained in existence during the travels of Chinese pilgrim Faxian, who visited Taxila around 400 CE . He wrote that Taxila's name translated as "the Severed Head", and was the site of a story in the life of Buddha "where he gave his head to a man". </P> <P> The Kidarites, vassals of the Hephthalite Empire are known to have invaded Taxila in c. 450 CE . Though repelled by the Gupta Emperor Skandagupta, the City would not recover - probably on account of the strong Hunnic presence in the area, breakdown of trade as well as the three - way war between Persia, the Kidarite State, and the Huns in Western Gandhara . </P> <P> The White Huns swept over Gandhāra and Punjab around 470 CE, causing widespread devastation and destruction of Taxila's famous Buddhist monasteries and stupas, a blow from which the city would never recover . From 500 CE to 540 CE, the City fell under the control of the Hunnic Empire in India and languished . </P>

Taxila was a famous site of which art