Barabar Caves

Barabar Caves

Coordinates

The Barabar Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, mostly dating from the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in Makhdumpur Block of Jehanabad district, Bihar, India, 24 km north of Gaya.

These caves are situated in the twin hills of Barabar (four caves) and Nagarjuni (three caves) – caves of the 1.6 km distant Nagarjuni Hill sometimes are singled out as Nagarjuni Caves. These rock-cut chambers date back to the 3rd century BCE, Maurya period, of Ashoka (r. 273–232 BCE) and his grandson Dasharatha Maurya. Though Buddhists themselves, they allowed various Jain sects to flourish under a policy of religious tolerance.

The caves were used by ascetics from the Ajivika sect, founded by Makkhali Gosala, a contemporary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and of Mahavira, the last and 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Also present at the site are several rock-cut Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.

Most caves at Barabar consist of two chambers, carved entirely out of granite, with a highly polished internal surface and exciting echo effect. The first chamber was meant for worshippers to congregate in a large rectangular hall, and the second, a small, circular, domed chamber for worship, this inner chamber probably had a small stupa like structure, at some point, though they are now empty.

The caves were featured – located in a fictitious Marabar – in the book A Passage to India by English author E. M. Forster. These were also shown in the book The Mahabharata Secret by Indian author Christopher C. Doyle.

Caves at Barabar Hill

Barabar Hill contains four caves, namely, Karan Chaupar, Lomas Rishi, Sudama and Visva Zopri. Sudama and Lomas Rishi Caves are the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India, with architectural detailing, made in the Mauryan period, and became a trend the subsequent centuries, like the larger Buddhist Chaitya, that were found in Maharashtra, such as in Ajanta and Karla Caves, and greatly influenced the tradition of South Asian rock-cut architecture. Barabar caves have magnanimous arches which are few in ancient history.

Barabar Caves

General view of cave temples in the Barabar Hills, Bihar. Mauryan architecture in the Barabar Mounts. Grotto of Lomas Rishi. 3rd century BCE.

Sudama and Lomas Rishi Caves at Barabar, Bihar, an 1870 photograph. Plan of the Barabar Caves and an elevation of the entrance to the Lomas Rishi Cave, Barabar, Bihar.

• Lomas Rishi cave: The arch-like shape facade of Lomas Rishi Caves, imitate the contemporary timber architecture. On the doorway, a row of elephants proceed towards stupa emblems, along the curved architrave.
• Sudama cave: This cave was dedicated by Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka in 261 BCE. The arches of Sudama cave are of bow shape. The caves consist of a circular vaulted chamber with a rectangular mandapa.
• Karan Chaupar (Karna Chaupar): Consists of single rectangular room with polished surfaces, contains inscription which could be dated to 245 BCE.
• Visva Zopri: Reachable by Ashoka steps hewn in cliff, consists of two rectangular rooms.

Nagarjuni Caves

Nearby caves of Nagarjuna are smaller and younger than Barabar caves The three caves are:

• Gopi (Gopi-ka-Kubha): According to inscription, devoted by the king Dasharatha to Ajivika followers circa 232 BCE.
• Vadithi-ka-Kubha cave (Vedathika Kubha): Located in crevice.
• Vapiya-ka-Kubha cave (Mirza Mandi): Also devoted to Ajivika followers by Dasharatha.

See also

• Kumhrar
• Edicts of Ashoka
• A Passage to India

Further reading

• Mauryan Architecture and Art – Rock cut architecture The Archaeology of Early Historic South Asia: The Emergence of Cities and States, by Frank Raymond Allchin, George Erdosy. Cambridge University Press, 1995, ISBN 0-521-37695-5. Page 247
• Introduction The Cambridge Companion to E.M. Forster, by David Bradshaw, Contributor David Bradshaw, Cambridge University Press, 2007, ISBN 0-521-83475-9. Page 188.

External links

• Series of images of Barabar Caves
• Detailed notes on The Barabar Caves and its use as Marabar Caves in E.M. Fosters Passage to India
• Barabar Caves and Nagarjuni Caves, description by Wondermondo