Cave Architecture: Origin, Types and More 

The rich cultural legacy of ancient India includes a substantial amount of cave architecture. These sanctuaries of worship, meditation, and artistic expression were carved out of the rock formations. They display the extraordinary abilities and inventiveness of the craftsmen and architects of ancient India. Ancient India’s cave architecture offers a window into the artistic, religious, and social aspects of bygone civilisations with its elaborate paintings, sculptures, and carvings. From the well-known Ellora and Ajanta Caves to the lesser-known cave systems across the country. These architectural wonders’ ageless beauty and historical significance never fail to enthral and inspire tourists.

From the standpoint of the UPSC IAS Examination, the cave architecture is significant, especially in the sections on Ancient Indian History and Art and Culture.

Origin in India: Cave Architecture

In India, caves have long been revered by the local populace. The locals used the naturally occurring caves for worship and housing. There is evidence that caves have been used since 6000 BC. Drawings on big rocks are examples of early art. Buddhist monks lived in natural caves during the rainy season when they first arrived. They practiced their faith in caves that served as temples. More and more large-scale rock caves were excavated over time. Wood was not as resilient as caves. Digged caves grew bigger and had more exquisite patterns.

In the western Deccan, caves were initially dug. From 100 BC to 170 AD, the majority were Buddhist temples and monastic residences. Early examples included many Jain temples. The oldest caves in India that have survived digging are the Barabar caves in Bihar. There is artwork from the Mauryan Empire dating back to approximately 300 BC. Maharashtra is the home of a few more ancient temple caves. A few examples are the 200 BC Bhaja Caves, the 100 BC Bedse Caves, the 200 BC to 500 AD Karla Caves, the 100 BC to 1000 AD Kanheri Caves, and the 200 BC to 480 or 650 AD Ajanta Caves.

Also Read: Indo-Islamic Architecture

Types of Caves Architecture

In India, caves are commonly linked to three distinct religions: Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. These religions are represented through the architectural variations seen in caves.

Buddhist Caves in India: From the second century BC until the fifth century AD, the Buddhists constructed the first cave temples in India. They functioned as places of prayer and monasteries for Buddhist monks. The best examples of Buddhist cave construction are the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra and the Ellora caves, which have rock-cut Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments.

Hindu Caves: From the fifth century onwards, Hindu communities started modifying the Buddhist cave tradition for their temples. Notable examples of Hindu temples carved out of rock with sculptures of Hindu gods include the Elephanta cave temples near Mumbai and the Badami cave temples in Karnataka.

Jain Caves: Jain cave temples, which date from the fifth to the tenth century AD, showcase the unique Jain architectural and sculpture styles. The elaborately carved Jain Tirthankaras and cave temples found in Madhya Pradesh’s Kankaliya and Udaigiri caves are well-known.

Major Cave Architecture of Ancient India

It is thought that India’s history of cave architecture dates back thousands of years. These caves were typically inhabited and used as places of prayer by Buddhist and Jain monks. In western India, the caves were found. Rock-cut cave building are credited to the Mauryans, who are considered the masters of cave architecture.

Ajanta Caves

Situated between the Sahyadri hills on the Waghora River, close to Aurangabad, Maharashtra, are the rock-cut caves known as the Ajanta Caves.

• When on a tiger hunt in 1819 AD, the British officer happened to stumble into these caves by chance.
• There are 29 caves in the Ajanta Cave; 4 serve as Chaitya, or prayer halls, while the other 25 are Viharas, or residing caves.
• The 24 caves were constructed during the Mahayana era of Buddhism, whereas the caves themselves date from the Hinayana period.
• There were Chaityas where the Buddhist monks prayed. It had a stupa in the middle of a hall supported by pillars.
• The construction of the Ajanta Caves took place between 200 BC and 658 AD.
• Under the watchful eyes of the Vakataka rulers, Buddhist monks carved images into the caves.
• Fresco paintings in the caves show a great degree of realism in their artistic rendering. Local flora and minerals were used to create the colours used in the paintings.
• The picture’s red outline was followed by inside painting. The absence of blue colour is the painting’s most notable feature.
• The paintings’ depictions of the Jataka stories and the life of the Buddha fit the Buddhist theme.
• The earliest paintings found here date to the second century BCE and are found as fragmentary sections in caves nos. 9 and 10.
• Around the fifth or sixth century CE, the second phase of paintings began, and it lasted for the following two centuries.
• The trip journals of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims Fa Hien and Hieun Tsang describe the caves.
• UNESCO has designated the Ajanta Caves as a World Heritage Site.

Also Read: Pithora Painting

The Ellora Caves

Maharashtra is the state where the Ellora Caves are situated. Another name for it is Verul Leni. These caves were sculpted starting in the fifth century.

• They’re caves carved out of rock.
• The largest monolithic excavation in the world, the Kailash Temple, is the reason for its fame. Krishna, created the temple of Kailash.
• In Ellora, there are two Jain temples: Indrasabha and Jagnnathsabha.
• The Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats have these caves.
• There are 34 caves total, with 12 being Buddhist, 5 Jains, and 17 having to do with the Brammarical faith.
• The Ellora Caves have representations of every religion, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, in contrast to the Ajanta Caves.
• Ellora has a case that is two stories high. There are also three-story caves visible.
• Since the temples were cut out of the hill’s sloping sides, courtyards are present inside them.
• The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the caves.

Elephanta Caves

Elephanta caves dates back to the 8th century.

• Solid basalt rock was used to cut out the caves.
• Originally a Buddhist shrine, the Shaivite religion eventually took over these caves.
• They existed at the same time as the Ellora Caves.
• Their sculptures are well-known, especially the Trimurti figure of Shiva and Ravana shaking the Kailash, the Shiva Tandav dance, Ardhanarishvara, and other well-known pieces.
• In 1987, the caves received the UNESCO World Heritage designation.

Kanheri Caves

Kaanheri caves features are as follows:

• The Karle Caves’ layout is followed by the Kanheri Caves.
• The caves may be found close to Mumbai.
• These 109 caves are formed by basalt rock formations. The majority of the caverns were Viharas, while the Chatiyas were the largest.
• Given that it features pictures of Buddha, the Maharana set has left its mark on the cave’s exterior walls.

Importance of India’s Cave Architecture

The cave temples of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism are examples of how ancient religions have evolved along with architectural forms. The significance of cave architecture in India is as follows:

• They offer shelter: Monks used caves as their natural homes and monasteries.
• Sites of worship: Spiritual searchers can now use caves as centres of meditation and devotion.
• Preserved artwork and architecture: For millennia, the sculptures and rock-cut buildings found within caves have protected prehistoric Indian artwork.
• Tourist attraction: Due to their historical, theological, and aesthetic significance, a large number of cave temples are now popular tourist destinations.
• Archaeological significance: Historians and archaeologists examine caves to learn about the religious practices and cultures of ancient India.
• Environmental adaptation: Temperates carved out of stone cliffs demonstrated a low impact on the environment and adaptation to their natural settings.
• Innovation and experimentation: Within the limitations of the materials, artists and architects demonstrated originality, inventiveness, and experimentation in the architecture of the caves.
• Relationship with nature: By using natural formations for religious purposes, cave temples created a harmonious environment.

Recent Posts

Nyaya Philosophy	Jainism Philosophy
Mahabalipuram: An Architectural Masterpiece	All You Need to Know About Sarnath Lion Capital & Great Stupa of Sanchi
Buddhism Philosophy and Concepts	Odissi Dance

FAQs

This was all about the “Cave Architecture”.  For more such informative blogs, check out our UPSC Exams Section and Study Material Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our  Indian exams page.