Discover Barabar Caves in India built by Mauryan Empire (322 BCE – 185 BCE)

Barabar Caves in India are home to a group of four ancient caves, known together as the Barabar Caves. These four caves are called Lomas Rishi Cave, Sudama Cave, Vishwakarma Cave, and Karan Chaupar Cave. The Barabar Caves in India are located about 40 kilometers away from Bodh Gaya, in the state of Bihar, India.

Barabar Caves  In India

• The Barabar Caves in India are a group of four ancient caves, named Lomas Rishi Cave, Sudama Cave, Vishwakarma Cave, and Karan Chaupar Cave.
• These caves are located in the Barabar Hills, near Makhdumpur, 25 km south of Jehanabad district in Bihar, India.
• The Barabar Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, carved out of a single large granite rock.

Historical Significance:

• The Barabar Caves in India built by the 3rd century BC, during the Mauryan Empire (322 BCE – 185 BCE).
• They were constructed by Emperor Ashoka for the Ajivika sect, a religious group that competed with Jainism and Buddhism.
• Though initially made for the Ajivikas, the caves were later used by Buddhists, and they also feature some Hindu and Jain sculptures.

Architectural Features: Barabar Caves in India

• One of the most exciting features of these caves is the echo effect that can be heard inside.
• The Lomas Rishi Cave, also known as the Grotto of Lomas Rishi, is famous for its arched entrance, which replicates the wood and thatch huts of ancient monks.
• The Lomas Rishi Cave has two rooms: a large rectangular assembly hall and a smaller oval-shaped room with a dome-shaped roof. The walls are polished to a glass-like finish, which was a common feature of the Barabar Caves.

Related Sites: Barabar Caves in India

• Nearby, about 2 km from Barabar Hills, are the Nagarjuni Hills, which also contain three caves. Together with the Barabar Caves, they are collectively known as ‘Satghar.’
• On one of the highest peaks of the Barabar Hills, you can find the Baba Siddhnath Temple, also known as the Shiva Temple. It is said to have been built during the Gupta Dynasty.

Influence on Architecture:

• The design and structure of the Lomas Rishi Cave influenced the later Buddhist Chaitya halls found in places like Ajanta and Karli caves in Maharashtra.

Learning More:

• Students interested in cave architecture can also read about other famous Buddhist caves like the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Kanheri Caves, and Elephanta Caves in India.
• These sites help provide a comprehensive understanding of the cave architecture in ancient India.

Lomas Rishi Caves in India

Location and Description: Barabar Caves in India

• The Lomas Rishi Cave is one of the man-made Barabar Caves, situated on the southern side of the Barabar Hills. It is also known as the Grotto of Lomas Rishi.
• This cave was carved out of solid rock to serve as a sanctuary for monks.

Architectural Significance: Barabar Caves in India

• The Lomas Rishi Cave is famous for its ogee-shaped Chandrashala or Chaitya Arch, which is one of the earliest examples of this architectural feature. This type of arch became an important element in Indian rock-cut architecture for centuries.
• The façade of the cave is designed to look like the wood and thatch huts that monks used to live in.

Structure: Barabar Caves in India

• The cave is divided into two rooms. After entering through a short tunnel, you come to a large rectangular hall that served as an assembly hall.
• Deeper inside is a second, smaller room that is oval-shaped with a dome-like roof. The walls of these rooms are polished to a glass-like finish, a characteristic feature of the Barabar Caves.

Historical Importance:

• The Lomas Rishi Cave was excavated during the reign of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and was gifted to the Ajivikas, an ancient religious and philosophical group in India.
• The cave’s design influenced the creation of larger Buddhist Chaitya halls, such as those found in the Ajanta and Karli caves in Maharashtra.

Religious and Cultural Connections:

• The Ajivikas used the cave for meditation, rejecting the authority of the Vedas and Buddhist teachings.
• Although the cave was originally used by the Ajivikas, it was later used by Buddhists. Inscriptions like the Bodhimula and Klesa-Kantara can be found on the cave’s door jamb.
• There is also a Sanskrit inscription on the arch, showing that a Hindu king from the Maukhari dynasty, Anantvarman, dedicated a statue of Krishna to the cave.

The Lomas Rishi Cave is a great example of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture and holds a significant place in the history of different religious practices in India.

Sudama Caves in India

Location and Structure:

• The Sudama Caves in India are situated on the left side of the Barabar Hills, right next to the Lomas Rishi Caves.
• These caves are believed to be the first among the Barabar cave group to have been excavated, as indicated by an inscription found at the entrance.
• The entrance of Sudama Cave has a shallow porch that leads into a rectangular passageway, followed by an arched ceiling.
• Inside, the cave features a vaulted circular chamber and a rectangular mandap (a hall).

Historical Significance:

• Sudama Cave was dedicated by Emperor Ashoka, as evidenced by an inscription in Brahmi script at the entrance. The inscription refers to Ashoka by his title “Priyadarsin,” which means “He who brings joy.”

Architectural Highlights:

• The inner walls of the Sudama Cave are a marvel of ancient engineering. The surfaces are polished to a mirror-like finish, creating a reflection effect.
• Between the two chambers, there is a central doorway. The upper section of the wall is curved to resemble the roof of traditional bamboo and thatch huts.

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Vishwakarma Cave in India

Overview:

• Vishwakarma Cave, also known as Vishwamitra Cave, is another important cave in the Barabar Hills.
• Like other caves in the Barabar group, it consists of two rectangular rooms, with the outer room functioning as an open porch.

Accessibility and Dedication: Barabar Caves in India

• The cave is accessible by the “steps of Ashoka,” which are carved into the cliff.
• This cave was also dedicated by Emperor Ashoka to the Ajivikas during the 12th year of his reign, around 260 BC.

Unique Aspects: Barabar Caves in India

• Vishwakarma Cave is unique because it does not have any inscriptions added after Ashoka’s time, unlike some other caves in the Barabar Hills.
• Seven years after dedicating this cave, Emperor Ashoka also dedicated the nearby Karan Chaupar Cave.

These ancient Barabar Caves in India, each with its own history and architectural beauty, offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of India during the time of the Mauryan Empire.