DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0288
266 EARLY BUDDHIST CAVE-TEMPLES.
(p. 189), that Nahapana's inscriptions are dated from the Saka era,
we have in 118, 120 a.d., a fixed point from which to start, and the
real crux of the whole is to ascertain what interval must be allowed
between him and Gautamiputra Satakarni, who almost certainly
was the 23rd king of Pauranik lists. According to them, if the
Andrabhrityas began to reign about the Christian era, Gautamiputra
must have reigned in the beginning of the 4th century and Yajnasri,
the 27th, nearly a century later. Both the inscriptions, however
and the architecture of Cave No. VIII. in this place, which belongs
to Nahapana, when compared with those of No. III., which was
excavated by Gautamiputra, render it improbable that so long an
interval as two centuries should have elapsed between these two
reigns. One century is possible, indeed probable, but what the exact
interval may have been must be left for future investigations.
The caves themselves are 17 in number, and though a small, are a
very interesting group. The Chaitya itself is not so remarkable as
some of those described above, but there are two viharas, Nos. III.
and VIII., which are very far in advance of any yet met with, and
display in their facades a richness of decoration quite unlike the
modest exteriors of those excavated before the Christian era. Not-
withstanding this they all, except Nos. II. and XVIL, belong to the
Hinayana or first great division of Buddhist caves, being devoid of
images, or any representation of Buddha as an object of worship, or
in fact of any of those characteristics which marked the introduction
of the Mahayana theosophy.
They are situated about 300 feet above the level of the plain below,
have a northerly aspect, and extend about a quarter of a mile along
the face of the hill. Beginning at the west end, they may con-
veniently be numbered eastwards. But it should be remarked that
large portions of the rock among these interesting caves, and even
whole excavations, have been blasted away, whether to obtain me-
talling and stones for the road and culverts when the neighbouring
government road was constructed, or by Muhammadans at an earlier
date, seems uncertain ; at the same time, I am not aware that either
Hindus or Muhammadans applied gunpowder for blasting rock, unti
taught by our Public Works officials, and if, under their directions,
these caves were so damaged 60 years ago, it is only a smge
instance added to others of similar vandalism.
(p. 189), that Nahapana's inscriptions are dated from the Saka era,
we have in 118, 120 a.d., a fixed point from which to start, and the
real crux of the whole is to ascertain what interval must be allowed
between him and Gautamiputra Satakarni, who almost certainly
was the 23rd king of Pauranik lists. According to them, if the
Andrabhrityas began to reign about the Christian era, Gautamiputra
must have reigned in the beginning of the 4th century and Yajnasri,
the 27th, nearly a century later. Both the inscriptions, however
and the architecture of Cave No. VIII. in this place, which belongs
to Nahapana, when compared with those of No. III., which was
excavated by Gautamiputra, render it improbable that so long an
interval as two centuries should have elapsed between these two
reigns. One century is possible, indeed probable, but what the exact
interval may have been must be left for future investigations.
The caves themselves are 17 in number, and though a small, are a
very interesting group. The Chaitya itself is not so remarkable as
some of those described above, but there are two viharas, Nos. III.
and VIII., which are very far in advance of any yet met with, and
display in their facades a richness of decoration quite unlike the
modest exteriors of those excavated before the Christian era. Not-
withstanding this they all, except Nos. II. and XVIL, belong to the
Hinayana or first great division of Buddhist caves, being devoid of
images, or any representation of Buddha as an object of worship, or
in fact of any of those characteristics which marked the introduction
of the Mahayana theosophy.
They are situated about 300 feet above the level of the plain below,
have a northerly aspect, and extend about a quarter of a mile along
the face of the hill. Beginning at the west end, they may con-
veniently be numbered eastwards. But it should be remarked that
large portions of the rock among these interesting caves, and even
whole excavations, have been blasted away, whether to obtain me-
talling and stones for the road and culverts when the neighbouring
government road was constructed, or by Muhammadans at an earlier
date, seems uncertain ; at the same time, I am not aware that either
Hindus or Muhammadans applied gunpowder for blasting rock, unti
taught by our Public Works officials, and if, under their directions,
these caves were so damaged 60 years ago, it is only a smge
instance added to others of similar vandalism.