The Karla Caves, also known as the Karli Caves, Karle Caves, or Karla Cells, are a group of ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves in Karli, Maharashtra. The shrines were built over a long period of time, from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. The oldest of the cave shrines is said to have been built around 160 BCE, near a significant ancient trade route that ran eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. This article will explain to you the historical background and features of Karla Caves which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Shrines in Karla Cave

Karla Caves - Historical Background

• The first sacred Karla Cave was a natural cave, but after that, it was followed by man-made caves.
• The caves were traditionally linked to the Mahasanghika Buddhist sect, which enjoyed widespread popularity and financial support in this part of India.
• A Buddhist monastery from the 2nd century BC is housed in the caves.
• This cave, the largest in South Asia, was built between 50 and 70 CE and 120 CE, under the reign of Western Satraps ruler Nahapana, who documented the cave's dedication in an inscription.
• The Karla group is one of the older and smaller of Maharashtra's many rock-cut Buddhist sites, but it is one of the most well-known because of the famous "Grand Chaitya".
  • It is "the largest and most completely preserved" chaitya hall of the period, as well as containing an unusual amount of fine sculpture, much of it on a large scale.
• The caves were built with the help of several tradesmen and Satavahana rulers.
• Buddhist monastic facilities tended to be located in natural geographic formations close to main trade routes to provide lodging places for traveling traders, having become connected with commerce and manufacture through their early involvement with traders.

Karla Caves

Karla Caves - Features

• From the first century CE until the fifth and sixth centuries CE, these caverns were excavated.
• The largest Hinayana Buddhist chaitya (temple) in India is Karla Cave.
• With only 15 caves, Karla Caves is one of India's most prominent Buddhist rock-cut cave sites.
• The main Chaityagriha is one of India's largest. Architecturally, sculpturally, and inscriptionally, it is significant.
• The Great Chaitya at Karla is India's largest rock-cut chaitya, spanning 45 meters (148 feet) long and rising to a height of 14 meters (46 feet).
• The Grand Chaitya includes gigantic pillars with sculptures of males and females riding lions, elephants, and other animals. There is also a stupa in the center.
• Karla Caves are distinguished by large horseshoe-shaped windows that illuminate the interiors and vaulted ceilings.
• There are two 15-meter-high pillars outside the Chaitya, but only one of them survives now. The tops of the pillars are adorned with four lions.

Lion sculptures in top of pillar in front of chaitya

• At the main Chaitya gate, there is a temple dedicated to a local goddess (A shrine of goddess Ekvira).
• Rows of pillars divide the chaitya into three sections: the central hall and narrow side aisles, which are separated by two rows of ornate pillars, each with 15 pillars.
• Beautiful capitals adorn the pillars, which depict men and women riding elephants and bowing to Buddha, among other things. Around the 7th century AD, representations of Buddha were added.
• In contrast to some other cave temples, the ceiling in Karla Cave No. 12 is made of wood rather than stone ribs.
• This woodwork (chhatri) is one-of-a-kind; the wood was cut 2,000 years ago and has been well preserved, with no signs of corrosion.
• The shrine – stupa with an umbrella over it – is located at the far end of Chaitya.
• The sculptures in Karla cave may be seen on the pillar capitals within the chaitya griha as well as in the verandah.
• After the 5th century CE, many Buddha and Bodhisattva sculptures were carved in the verandah.
• Karla's sculptures represent new trends in Indian art – more plasticity, with figures that are approximately 60% free of the wall behind them. Sculptures are refined, with clothing folds, earrings, and so on.
• On the pillars in the hall, there are some vestiges of paintings from the 5th and 6th centuries CE.
• Many of the pillars in the hall include inscriptions in Brahmi script and Prakrit language that list the names of the contributors and their origins.
• The caves were built with the help of several tradesmen and Satavahana monarchs.
• Long inscriptions written by royal families from the first to second century CE can also be found.

Conclusion

Karla Caves are one of the earliest examples of ornate and richly decorated rock-cut temples in India and represent the pinnacle of Indian rock-cut architecture at the time. These caves are comparable in splendor to Ajanta and Ellora, but they are much less popular. Karla Caves' architectural and artistic achievements have had a significant impact on the development of Indian art. The cave complex is now a protected monument under India's Archaeological Survey.