Barabar Caves
Lomas Rishi, Fasad (Barabar Hills)
About 15 miles from Bodh Gaya where Buddha got enlightenment, lies a testament to Indian architecture chiseled in solid black granite hills. They also can be termed without any iota of doubt, as the first page of Buddhist architecture. In fact hidden in these ordinary looking hills are the most extra ordinary chapter of Indian architecture which are harbingers of a new oriental architectural style which had to later on disseminate magnificently in other parts of the country. These earliest rock cut caves are synthesis of indigenous and Achemenian traditions which often in academic circles referred as the " working of Persian mind".
The Brahmi inscriptions found here state that Asoka got it constructed for a heretical sect, which sprang at the same time as Buddhism and Janism, called Ajivika.But later on, at different points of time these caves were occupied by varied religious sects.
In 1868, Alexander Cunnigham by discovering and preparing a detailed note on these caves have succeeded in showing the world the importance of this site.
Two features of these caves are worth mentioning. First is, the attempt to copy wooden art on stone which continued to be practiced for a long time in other rock cut cave structures of India.The other one is enamel like typical Ashokan polish on their interior walls which even after the lapse of two thousand years retain almost the same original shine.
On the basis of date and locale these seven caves can be divided into two groups. Caves located at Barabar hills were excavated during Ashokan period while caves at the Nagarjuni hills were excavated after three decades of Ashoka in the reign of Dasharath, the grand son of Ashoka.
Cave at Barabar Hills
Four caves have been excavated on Barabar and three on Nagarguni hills. On the southern face of Barabar hill lies the earliest cave shrine known as the Sudama cave (as per inscription its ancient name was Nigoha-kubha i.e. Banyan tree cave.) excavated in the 12th regal year of Ashok (2 B.C). It is a two- chamber structure and the interior surface of the cave is polished to a high degree and gives an impression as if a layer of glass is laid on stone. On the same face of rock is the best cave Lomas Rishi which is remarkable in its treatment of façade It is the first available example of famous Buddhist Chaitya arch style in India. Of course stone cutter's attempt to copy in every detail the handiwork of the carpenter is evident here also. North to this cave lies the third cave, a single-chamber-structure with a vaulted roof and simple opening in the rock face, called Karan chopar chiseled in the 19th regal year of Ashoka. Early inscription refer it as Supriya cave while later inscriptions call it with various names like Bodhimula (The root of intelligence), Daridra Kandara (the cave of the poor) etc.
About 1000 yards east of this cave lies the fourth two-chamber cave -- Vishva Zopari excavated in the 12th regal year of Ashoka.
On Nagarjuni hills the most important is Gopi cave which can be approached by a flight of steps. A number of inscriptions have been found here too. In middle of 19th century some Islamic saints used to live in these caves.
On north of Nagarjuni hill is Mirza Mandi (house of Mirza) cave. This cave was excavated during the time of Dasharatha. As per inscription its name was Vapuiyaka Kubha (cave of well). There is a dry well near this cave and it seems it derived its ancient name from this only. Several remains of buildings - probably viharas- can be seen around this site.
The last cave on this hill, Vedathika Kubha can be approached through a natural cleft. Imagining that some structural stupas must have existed in at least a few of these caves is not unrealistic because this place was dedicated to Buddhist religious practices, which required this kind of, support. Or this also is possible that empty circular chamber would had served the purpose symbolically. It is well known fact that in earliest phase of Buddhism anthropomorphic formations were missing.
Like so many other very important archeological sites of India, this site also is left to the vandalism of man and vagaries of nature. Today this site has totally lost its past glory. Villagers around this site are totally unaware of the importance and past glory of this site. They assemble here once in a year in the month of Ashadha to take a holy dip in near by reservoir, probably this is the only social contact left with this place of today's society.
(Dr. Lavanya always wanted to pay a visit to this place somehow it didn't click.)