The Barabar caves, located in the Barabar hills in Bihar's Jehanabad district, are India's oldest instances of Mauryan rock-cut construction. In Barabar, there are four caverns going back to Asoka's rule (273-232 BC) and his grandson Dasaratha's reign, which were originally built for the Ajivika sect. This article will explain to you the concepts related to Barabar Caves which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Barabar Caves

• The Lomas Rishi Cave, Sudama Caves, Vishwakarma Caves, and Karan Chaupar Caves are among the Barabar caves.
• The caves of Barabar Hill are the world's oldest rock-cut caves.
• These caves were carved out of a single piece of solid granite.
• Location - The Barabar Caves are located in a hilly location near Makhdumpur, Bihar, 25 kilometres south of Jehanabad.
• Time of development - The caverns of Barabar can be traced back to the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC (322 BCE -185 BCE).

Features of Barabar Caves

• Emperor Ashoka built the Barabar Caves for the benefit of Ajivika ascetics, and it is hence known as the birthplace of the Ajivika sect.
• The caves of Barabar Hill are Buddhist caves. A few Hindu and Jain sculptures can also be found.
• The Nagarjuni Hills (comprising three caves) are located two kilometres from the Barabar Hills Caves (which include four caves).
  • They are referred to as 'Satghar' since they are thought to be from the same time period.
• The Baba Siddhanath Temple, also known as the Shiva Temple and formerly known as Siddheshwar Nath Temple, is situated atop one of the Barabar Hills' highest peaks.
  • This temple is supposed to have been constructed during the Gupta Dynasty's reign.
• The fascinating echo effect may be found in all of the Babrabar caves.

Barabar Caves

Lomas Rishi Caves

• The man-made Barabar caves, also known as the Grotto of Lomas Rishi, are located on the southern side of the Barabar hills.
• As a sanctuary, the rock-cut Lomas Rishi Cave was dug out.
• It is the earliest surviving example of the ogee-shaped Chandrashala or Chaitya Arch, which has long been a popular feature of Indian sculpture and rock-cut building.
• Lomas Rishi Cave's arch-like facade is a perfect recreation of monks' wood and thatch cottages.
• The Lomas Rishi Cave is divided into two rooms. After passing through a brief tunnel, there is a large rectangular hall, approached from the side, that serves as an assembly hall.
• A second, smaller hall, with an oval-shaped interior and a dome-shaped roof, is located further within.
• The chambers' interior surfaces have a spectacular glass-like gloss and are extremely beautifully finished. In the Barabar Caves, this is a common construction.
• The cave served as a model for the bigger Buddhist Chaitya halls located in Maharashtra, such as the Ajanta or Karli caves, and had a significant impact on the South Asian rock-cut building heritage.
• Lomas Rishi Cave was excavated and given to the Ajivikas monks during the time of Mauryan ruler Ashoka.
• The Ajivikas were an ancient Indian religious and philosophical sect that competed with Jainism and eventually died out. They pondered in caves, rejecting both the Vedas' authority and Buddhist beliefs.
• The inscription of the elephant and other symbols can be seen on the cave's wall and at the entrance of Chaitya arch. The Lomas Rishi Cave does not have any Ashoka inscriptions.
• Buddhists used the Lomas Rishi Cave after Ajivikas since the cave's door jamb contains the Bodhimula and Klesa-Kantara inscriptions.
• Anantvarman, a Hindu ruler of the Maukhari dynasty, dedicated a statue of Krishna to the cave, according to a Sanskrit inscription on the arch.

Sudama Caves

• Sudama Caves are near to the Lomas Rishi Caves on the left side of the Barabar Hills.
• 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, as shown by an inscription in Brahmi inscribed in the cave's entrance employing his protocol name (Priyadarsin, "He who provides joy").
• A short entrance porch leads to a rectangular path at the Sudama cave's entrance.
• The Sudama cave has an arched roof. It has a vaulted circular room within which is a rectangular mandap.
• Sudama caverns' interior walls are an engineering marvel. The extremely flat and polished granite surface provides a mirror image.
• The wall between the two chambers features a central entryway and an unusual upper hemi-spherical part that is curved and bowed towards the centre, like the roof of native bamboo and thatch beehive homes.

Sudama Caves

Vishwakarma Cave

• Vishwakarma Cave, like other Barabar caves, is made up of two rectangular rooms. The room is completely open to the exterior, like an extended porch.
• Vishwamitra caves is another name for it.
• The "Ashoka Steps" built into the cliff provide access to this cave.
• 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.

Vishwakarma Caves

Karan Chaupar Cave

• Karan Cahupar is located on the Barabar Hills' northern flank.
• It has an Ashoka inscription dated the 19th year of his reign on it.
• The Buddhist practice of retiring (Vassavasa) during the monsoons is described in an inscription found at the cave's entrance.
• The inverted swastika at the conclusion of the inscription shows that this cave, one of the four Barabar Caves, was reserved for Buddhist monks.
• A mound near the entrance is also covered with later Buddhist sculptures, 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.
• An inscription from the Gupta dynasty in the entry chamber says "Daridra Kantara" ("The Cave of the Beggars").

 Karan Chaupar Cave

Conclusion

The caves of Barabar come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While the Lomas Rishi Cave features an oblong vaulted space, other caves have circular domed shrines with stone representations of timber structure. The inside of a number of the caverns have a high polish known as 'Mauryan polish.' No other rock-cut caves in India can match their age, and others built in subsequent centuries provide testament to their craftsmen's continual improvement in technical skill and design. As a result, it can be claimed that the Barabar caves are the origins of India's rock-cut building history.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the historical and architectural significance of the Barabar Caves in the context of early Indian rock-cut architecture.

Answer: The Barabar Caves are the oldest known rock-cut caves in India, dating back to the 3rd century BCE during the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka. Historically, these caves are significant as they were dedicated to the Ajivika sect, which had a notable presence alongside Buddhism and Jainism. Architecturally, the caves are remarkable for their polished granite surfaces, which create an echo effect, showcasing advanced stone-polishing techniques of the Mauryan period. Their minimalist design and precision influenced later rock-cut architecture in India, including the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves. Thus, the Barabar Caves are crucial for understanding the development of religious and architectural practices in ancient India.

Q2: Explain how the Barabar Caves reflect the religious tolerance practiced during Ashoka’s reign.

Answer: Emperor Ashoka, known for his patronage of Buddhism, also supported other religious communities, including the Ajivika sect, to whom the Barabar Caves were dedicated. The construction of these caves exemplifies Ashoka's policy of religious tolerance and inclusivity, as he provided resources and space for diverse religious practices. This support for the Ajivika sect highlights the pluralistic approach of the Mauryan Empire, where multiple religious beliefs coexisted, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

Q3: Assess the influence of the architectural style of the Barabar Caves on subsequent Indian rock-cut monuments.

Answer: The architectural style of the Barabar Caves, particularly their polished interiors and precision in rock cutting, had a lasting influence on later rock-cut monuments in India. The smooth, mirror-like surfaces seen in Barabar inspired similar techniques in the Buddhist caves of Ajanta and Ellora, where artisans continued to explore and expand upon rock-cut architecture. This early example of rock polishing and structural planning set a foundation for the intricate carvings and elaborate designs that became hallmarks of Indian cave architecture, making the Barabar Caves a vital precursor to subsequent developments in this field.

Previous Year Questions on  Barabar Caves

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2020

Question: What was the significance of the Barabar Caves in the context of Mauryan architecture?

Answer: The Barabar Caves, attributed to the Mauryan period, are significant as the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, showcasing the advanced stonework and polished interiors characteristic of Mauryan architecture. These caves provided spaces for the Ajivika sect, indicating the religious tolerance and inclusivity of the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka. The precision of the rock cutting and the unique acoustic qualities of the caves reflect the architectural advancements of the time, setting a precedent for later Indian rock-cut structures.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Describe the role of the Barabar Caves in promoting religious practices during the Mauryan Empire. 

Answer: The Barabar Caves played a crucial role in promoting the religious practices of the Ajivika sect, which was contemporaneous with Buddhism and Jainism during the Mauryan Empire. Emperor Ashoka's dedication of these caves to the Ajivika monks demonstrates his support for religious diversity. The caves served as meditation spaces, allowing the Ajivika sect to flourish alongside other religious communities. This patronage reflects the religious pluralism of Ashoka's reign, emphasizing the Mauryan commitment to respecting and supporting diverse spiritual paths.