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Regulatory BodyArchitecture : Cave Rock Cut Architecture
Rock cut architecture occupies a very important place in the history of Indian Architecture. The rock-cut architecture differs from traditional buildings in many ways. The rock-cut architecture is a type of Rock Art in which a structure is created by carving it out of solid natural rock. The rock-cut art is more similar to sculpture than architecture as structures were produced by cutting out solid rocks. Indian rock-cut architecture is more diverse and abundant than any other type of rock building seen around the world (more than 1,500 rock-cut structures in India). The cave architecture in India is believed to have begun during the ancient time.
1. Importance of Cave Architecture as a Source of History
Caves were patronized by kings across country Barbara caves by Ashoka, Ellora caves by Rashtrakutas and Badami by Chalukyas
The brilliance in cutting technique illustrate considerable accomplishment with regard to structural engineering Eg Kalishnath Cave temple uses unique cut-out technique while most of the monolithic structures use cut in monolithic techniquethis . Shows the grandess of technological achievemnt to pull off such a masterpiece. It is perhaps seen as the epitome of what a man can achieve. .Bhaja and Karle were at famous trade routes in western Ghats which used to connect sea port to interiors.
With detailed carvings, sculptures, and paintings, these caves offer insights into the religious, social, and artistic aspects of ancient times.
The cave architecture in India is believed to have begun during the ancient time. These caves were used by Buddhist and Jain monks as places of worship and dwelling.
The relics, motifs, murals and sculptures of the caves enlighten us about the achievements in Art and culture Some caves were also used as Education centres like Kanheri caves were biggest education center in Western India. Environment Conservation: Water resources are prevalent at Kanheri which shows water harvesting was practiced at caves
2. Types of cave Architecture in India and its Structural Design
Cave architecture in India evolved from natural caves to elaborate rock-cut structures, reflecting the country’s diverse culture and history. Caves carved out of stone cliffs served as dwellings, places of meditation and worship. Indian cave temples reflect the country’s religious diversity and the different traditions used in caves in unique ways. Buddhist cave architecture is broadly classified into two primary types: the Chaitya and the Vihara . The main features of them are
| Primary Function | A place of worship or prayer hall, often a sanctuary housing a stupa |
| Central Element | A rock-cut Stupais typically located at the rear or apse end, serving as the focal point of veneration. Apart from the main stupa it also features carvings, Buddha figures and Sculpturesdepicting religious scenes |
| Architectural Layout | Generally features a Rectangular Hall with an apsidal Semi cicular end and Two Rows of Pillarsforming an aisle around the stupa (ambulatory path) . |
| Focus | Communal worship, circumambulation (pradakshina) of the stupa |
| Primary Function | A residential complex for Buddhist monks to live, study, and meditate during the monsoon season |
| Central Element | Cells arranged around a central pillared or hall are the main feature |
| Architectural Layout | Usually square or rectangular in shape, with a central open areasurrounded by monks’ cells and a squares, inner cell at the far end of a central hal |
| Focus | Private dwelling, monastic life, and individual meditation or study |
2.2 Important Cave Architecture in India Dynasty wise
Indus Valley Public buildings can be classified into four specific types (public gathering, granaries, water management, and factories)
The Mauryan dynasty, from 4th century BCE to 2nd century BCE, and particularly under the leadership of emperor Ashoka, witnessed the construction of some of the earliest rock-cut caves in the country. These cave structures played a significant role in religious, artistic, and practical aspects of the society.
Barabar Complex
The Barabar Hill Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district, Bihar, 24 km (15 mi) north of Gaya. Functioned as residences (viharas) and assembly halls (chaityas) for monks . Notable Caves in his Complex are
Lomas Rishi Cave
⛶Lomas Rishi Cave is Located on the southern side of the Barabar hills.
The most striking feature of the Lomas Rishi Cave is its ornate,⛞horseshoe-shaped Chandrashala or Chaitya Arch , which has long been a popular feature of Indian sculpture and rock-cut building. Its vital cave as it influenced later Buddhist cave architecture.
The Interior features two-rooms a rectangular-shaped antechamber entered from the side, with a short tunnel connecting to the⛶inner room Similar to other Caves it has an Arched Roof and Polished Interiors
Lomas Rishi Cave was excavated and given to the Ajivikas monks during the time of Mauryan ruler Ashoka.
Sudama Cave
⛶Sudama cave is located on the left of the Lomas Rishi cave
Sudama cave, according to an inscription placed near its entrance, was perhaps the first cave dug in the Barabar cave group. Emperor Ashoka donated Sudama cave to the Ajivikas, as shown by an Incription in Brahmi inscribed in the cave’s entrance employing hisⓣprotocol name
The Sudama cave has an arched roof. It has a vaulted circular room within which is a rectangular mandap. Similar to Lomas Rishi it also feature a similar⛶inner Room like that of Lomas Rishi
Sudama caverns’ interior walls are an engineering marvel. The extremely flat and polished granite surface provides a⛶mirror image. Highly symmetrical with echo-inducing acoustics.
Karan Chaupar Cave
⛶Karan Chaupar cave is located on the northern side of the main Barabar granite hill
It has an Ashoka inscription dated the 19th year of his reign on it. The Buddhist practice of ⓣVassavasa during the monsoons is described in an inscription found at the cave’s entrance.An inscription from the Gupta dynasty in the entry chamber says ⓣDaridra Kantara The inverted ⛶swastika at the conclusion of the inscription shows that this cave, one of the four Barabar Caves, was ⓣreserved for
A mound near the entrance is also covered with later ⛶Buddhist Sculpture, indicating that the cave once belonged to Buddhists.
At one end of the cave is a rock-cut seat. It is made out of a single rectangular room with gleaming surfaces.
Vishwakarma Cave
⛶Vishwakarma Cave, has an almost square entrance like other Barabar caves, is made up of two rectangular rooms. The room is completely open to the exterior, like an extended porch.
The ⛶”Ashoka Steps” are a series of steps carved directly into the rock of the Barabar Hills in Bihar, India, leading to the entrance of the Vishwakarma Cave (also known as Vishwamitra or Sutar-jhopri) During Ashoka’s 12th year of reign, he offered Vishwakarma cave to Ajivikas.
It’s the only cave in the series that doesn’t have any inscriptions from after the Asoka period. Emperor Ashoka dedicated Vishwakarma cave in 260 BC, and 7 years later, he dedicated Karan Chaupar cave, which is a short distance from Vishwakarma cave.
Nagarjuni Complex
There are three caves excavated in the Nagarjuna Hills – the Vadathi-ka-Kubha (Vedathika Kubha), the Vapiya-ka-Kubha (Mirza Mandi), and the Gopi-ka-Kubha. The Nagarjuni Caves wereⓣdedicated by, the grandson and successor of Emperor Ashoka, to the Ajivika sect.
Gopiya Cave
Gopi (Gopi-ka-Kubha, milkmaid) is a cave reached by stepping up a flight of megalithic steps. It has got the largest chamber in the group. The cave contains several important ⛶inscriptions , some of these testify that son of Ashoka – Dasaratha (reigned in 232 – 224 BC) – has devoted these caves to Ajivika – thus these structures might be some 50 years younger than caves at Barabar.
Vapiya and Vadathi
The Vapiya-ka-Kubha (or Vapiyaka) and Vadathi-ka-Kubha (or Vadathika) are adjacent, ancient rock-cut caves located on the Nagarjuni Hill . ⛶Vapiyaka (Well Cave): Located next to a dry well (hence the name), it consists of a single rectangular room with a beautiful, highly polished, vaulted chamber. ⛶Vadathika Cave: Situated in a rock crevasse, it also features a single rectangular room and a porch.
Post-Mauryan cave architecture (2nd century BCE – 7th century CE) marks a transition from simple, early Buddhist rock-cut cells to elaborate, multi-storeyed structures. Primarily located in Western India (Maharashtra) and Eastern India (Odisha)
Satvahana Caves
Note While Most Caves are associated with Satvahanas, Many have no known date, but inscriptions mentioning donors and specific king names have aided in their identification. Many have also been donation-funded, or “crowdfunded,” caves.
Ajanta Cave (1st Phase / Hinayana Phase)
The first phase of Ajanta caves was also started by satvahanas. It includes five caves—chaityas (worship halls) 9 and 10, and viharas (monasteries) 12, 13, and 15A attributed to Satvahan Kings this phase is often known as the Hinayana phase, Buddhist art (before 1st century CE) depicted theⓣBuddha through. In this phase more, the focus was given on stupa and figurative sculpture were limited.
Chaityas:
⛶Cave 9 – It is a large Worship Hall , with monolithic stone stupa carved from a living rock. Note there ar no Idols here.
⛶Cave 10 – Ajanta Cave 10 is thought to be the oldest chaitya hall at Ajanta. Its a Worship Hall with a stupa and circumambulatory path. Though this cave majorly belongs to the Hinayana phase, the cave was worked upon in the Mahayana era too. This is explained by presence of Buddha’s images and idols that belong to the later era. figures like⛶Bodhisattvas and Jataka tales
Viharas:
⛶Cave 12 is a Hinayana vihara which was excavated in the 2nd century BC and it is probably one of the earliest excavations at Ajanta. . It has 12 cells and each cell having two stone-beds. The skillfully carved sleeping berths in the cells. An inscription on the back wall of the monastery records the gift of this cave by oneⓣmerchant
⛶Cave 13 is very similar to Cave 12 and is an incomplete vihara belongs to Hinayana phase of Buddhism. It consists of a central hall with 7 small residential cells
⛶Cave 15A is the smallest of all the excavations at Ajanta. This cave consists of a small central astylar hall with one cell on three sides. Note – The later-identified caves have been suffixed with the letters of the alphabet, such as 15A, identified between originally numbered caves 15 and 16. The cave numbering is a convention of convenience, and does not reflect the chronological order of their construction.
Pithalkhora Caves
The Pitalkhora Caves are an ancient Buddhist site consisting of 14 rock-cut cave monuments which date back to the third century BCE, making them one of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India.The caves are in two groups, one of 10 caves and the second of four. Out of the 14, Five are chaityas (one housing votive stupas, one apsidal and single-cell) and the rest Nine are viharas.
The caves are cut in a variety of basalt rock, but some of the caves have crumbled and are damaged.All the caves belong to the Early Buddhist schools period, but the reasonably well preserved paintings are of the Mahayana period. It is believed that Pitalkhora can be identified with Ptolemy’s chronicles as well as Buddhist Chronicals of Mahamayuri ⓣwhich are respectively
Pitalkhora⛞Cave 4 is indeed is the most significant and notable Vihara (monastery) caves in the complex. It is distinguished by its large size, a, a barrel-vaulted roof, and seven monastic cells, often featuring a finely carved, impressive facade that sets it apart from other structures.