History of First Man made Caves in Barabar plateau, Last part (1000 - 1200 years older then Ajanta) in Bihar.

Nagarjuna plateau –

 It has 3 caves of “Satgharwa”. 4 caves of “Barabar” have already been described. 1 km east of Siddheshwarnath Top on Barabar plateau, there lies ‘Nagarjuna Plateau.

 In this plateau one can get Gopi Guha (cave), Byahak Guha and Vedantik Guha. These 3 important caves in combine with Barabar cave makes ‘Satgharwa’ or 7 caves. It is said that Emperor “Ashoka the Great” Grandson “Dasrath made these caves. These caves are also mentioned in the Inscriptions of Dasrath (214 BC). 

Gopi Guha - Among the 3 caves of Nagarjuna “Gopi Guha” the biggest one. This cave is at least 50 ft from the ground. This cave is 19 ft wide 44 long and 10 ft high. In shape it’s like a tunnel. The roof of this cave is Arch. 

On the entrance of the cave there is a Inscription of Emperor Dasrath, grandson of ‘Ashoka’. This Inscription says that this cave is dedicated to Ajivika (one of the Nastika or “heterodox” school of ancient Indian Philosophy). Other Inscriptions are also found here they belongs to other period, they are not of Dasratha period. 

Byahak Guha – This cave is relatively on lower height compare to Gopi Guha. In this cave there is only 1 room and 1 small porch. The cave and the Porch both are polished. The wall of this cave is lower in height. 

The Inscription of Dasratha is also here. Some other Inscriptions are also here which mentions some Acharya (Graduate) Yogendra The period of Acharya Yogendra is 7^th – 8^th Century. It is assumed that these caves are older then the Acharya period, even Dasratha Inscription is found here.

Vedantik Guha – This cave is situated on the western side close to Byahak Guha. The Inscriptions found in this cave says that, this cave is dedicated to Bhadant or Bodh Bikkhu (Buddhist Monk).

In the Inner room there is a inscription which has the name of that Monk – “Vipak”.  Lord Cunningham says that Byahak and Vedantik Guha is older Bodh Vihara, which was being attacked by the foreign intruders. During Mugal period Granite Pillars were being constructed in the cave which is still there.

One thing which is also important to know that, it is assumed that these caves are much older than the Inscriptions found in these caves. There period goes back to Later Vedic period and Mahakavya period.

Mahabharata and Purana indicate that these caves were being used by Lomarsh, Gautam, Durvasha, Sringi etc. Rishi (Sage).  In this condition the age of these caves will be 5,000 years or older. 

It is also possible that these caves could be natural and during Ashoka period these were being shaped and crafted, polished and made shiny.    

                

It’s great to be here and became a part of history of 3^rd century BC to 5,000 BC. It’s really surprising to see how these caves were being made and what polish they used which is still shinning as it was or more in those days.

                                                             The End.