Barabar Caves - Wikipedia Barabar Caves - Wikipedia 1 di 4

Coordinates: 25.005N 85.063E

Barabar Caves
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Barabar Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut

Barabar Caves
caves in India,[1] mostly dating from the Maurya
Empire (322185 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,[2] of Ashoka (r. 273232 BCE) and his
grandson Dasharatha Maurya. Though Buddhists
themselves, they allowed various Jain sects to
flourish under a policy of religious tolerance.[1]

The caves were used by ascetics from the Ajivika

sect,[3] founded by Makkhali Gosala, a contemporary
of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and
of Mahavira, the last and 24th Tirthankara of
Jainism.[4] Also present at the site are several
rock-cut Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.[5] 25.005N 85.063E
Coordinates
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.

Contents
1 Caves at Barabar Hill
2 Nagarjuni Caves
3 See also
4 Further reading
5 References
6 External links

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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,[2][6] with
architectural detailing, made in the Mauryan period, and became a trend the subsequent centuries,[7]
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.[3] Barabar caves have
magnanimous arches which are few in ancient history.

Lomas Rishi cave: The arch-like shape

facade of Lomas Rishi Caves, imitate the Barabar Caves
contemporary timber architecture. On the
doorway, a row of elephants proceed
towards stupa emblems, along the curved
architrave.[8]
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.[9]
Karan Chaupar (Karna Chaupar):[10] General view of cave Mauryan architecture in
Consists of single rectangular room with temples in the Barabar the Barabar Mounts.
polished surfaces, contains inscription Hills, Bihar. Grotto of Lomas Rishi.
which could be dated to 245 BCE. 3rd century 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 [11] The three caves
are:

Gopi (Gopi-ka-Kubha): According to Sudama and Lomas Plan of the Barabar

inscription, devoted by the king Dasharatha Rishi Caves at Barabar, Caves and an elevation
to Ajivika followers circa 232 BCE. Bihar, an 1870 of the entrance to the
Vadithi-ka-Kubha cave (Vedathika photograph. Lomas Rishi Cave,
Kubha): Located in crevice. Barabar, Bihar.
Vapiya-ka-Kubha cave [12] (Mirza Mandi):
Also devoted to Ajivika followers by
Dasharatha.

See also
Kumhrar
Edicts of Ashoka

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A Passage to India

Further reading
Mauryan Architecture and Art Rock cut architecture (https://books.google.com
/books?id=Q5kI02_zW70C&pg=PA247&lpg=PA247&dq=Barabar+Caves+india&source=web&
ots=IIDwfukdu-&sig=PmUtkodfN_DMGXsDkH0utYz6I6g&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&
resnum=2&ct=result) 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 (https://books.google.com/books?id=EoNAuVouPN4C&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&
dq=Barabar+Caves+india&source=web&ots=4tTT-YhU6w&
sig=ajx7bjcrgxtfv0vhoR43ORkuI8g&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result) The
Cambridge Companion to E.M. Forster, by David Bradshaw, Contributor David Bradshaw,
Cambridge University Press, 2007, ISBN 0-521-83475-9. Page 188.

References
1. Culture of peace (http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20080912251806500.htm) Frontline, Volume 25 Issue
18 :: Aug. 30-Sep. 12, 2008.
2. Sculptured doorway, Lomas Rishi cave, Barabar, Gaya (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00056000) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090408210434
/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00056000) April 8,
2009, at the Wayback Machine. British Library
3. Entrance to one of the Barabar Hill caves (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019PHO000001003U0045A000) Archived (https://web.archive.org
/web/20120214225416/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019PHO000001003U0045A000) February 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. British
Library.
4. Barabar Hills: Where the Buddhist Emperor Ashoka built caves for the Ajivakas
(http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/pilgrim/pg_01.htm) www.buddhanet.net.
5. Rock sculptures at Barabar (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019PHO000001003U00046000) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20120214225522
/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO000001003U00046000) February
14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. British Library.
6. Architectural history (http://www.indian-architecture.info/) www.indian-architecture.info.
7. An overview of archaeological importance of Bihar (http://yac.bih.nic.in/Da-01.htm) Directorate of
Archaeology, Govt. of Bihar.
8. Part of the elephant frieze over the doorway at the Barabar caves. 1790 (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk
/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019WDZ000001767U00000000) Archived (https://web.archive.org
/web/20120214225709/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019WDZ000001767U00000000) February 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. British
Library.
9. Sudama and Lomas Rishi Caves at Barabar Hills, Gaya (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00055000) British Library. Archived (https://web.archive.org
/web/20070822011035/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00055000) August 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
10. Karna Chowpar cave, Barabar Hills. (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation
/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00099000) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090408210444
/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00099000) April 8,
2009, at the Wayback Machine. British Library.
11. Barabar and Nagarjuna Caves (http://www.culturopedia.com/Places/places.html).

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12. Gopi & Kalpi caves, Barabar, Gaya. (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation

/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00058000) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090408210439
/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000125S1U00058000) April 8,
2009, at the Wayback Machine. British Library.

External links
Series of images of Barabar Caves
Wikimedia Commons has
(http://www.barabarcaves.com/)
media related to Barabar
Detailed notes on The Barabar Caves and its use as Caves.
Marabar Caves in E.M. Fosters Passage to India
(http://www.mapability.com/travel/p2i/barabar_1.php)
Barabar Caves (http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/Bihar/Barabar.htm) and
Nagarjuni Caves (http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/Bihar/Nagarjuni.htm),
description by Wondermondo
Barabar Caves Travel Guide (http://travelnewsindia.com/barabar-caves/)

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Categories: Caves of Bihar History of Bihar Maurya Empire History of Buddhism

Tourist attractions in Bihar Landforms of Bihar Archaeological sites in Bihar Jehanabad district
3rd-century BC Hindu temples Buddhist sites in Bihar Buddhist caves
Buddhist monasteries in India Indian rock-cut architecture Former populated places in India
Buddhist pilgrimages Buddhist monasticism Buddhist architecture Indian architecture
Architectural styles Caves containing pictograms in India

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