Question

Give a detailed note on the caves of Gujarat.

Answer 1

Instruction

• Elaborate on the significance of caves.
• Comment on 5 important caves in Gujarat.

Answer

Cave architecture or rock-cut architecture is one of the ancient forms of architecture. Such caves feature sculptures or rock paintings.

Gujarat has several famous caves:

• Caves at Junagadh: Comprising three groups of caves – Bavapyara caves: It is situated near Bavapyara math, consisting of 16 caves. They were probably carved during the 1st and 2nd centuries. The caves of Khapra and Kediya and the caves of Kund were floored caves consisting of twenty pillars, probably carved in the third century.
• Khambhalida cave: Situated at Khambhalida near Gondal, this cave was discovered in 1959 AD. Chaitya Gruh is situated in the middle cave. There are figures of Bodhisattvas and statues of devotees standing on both sides of the entrance.
• Talaja cave: Famous as a pilgrim of Taaldhwajgiri, this cave is situated in Bhavnagar district. Thirty caves have been carved from stones. This architecture belongs to the 3rd century AD.
• Sana cave: Spread like a bee-hive, it is situated on top of Sana mountain in Gir Somnath district.
• Dhank cave: It was probably built at the beginning of the 4th century. It is situated in Rajkot district.
• Khapra–Kodiya caves at Kachchh: These caves are situated on the top of a mountain near old Paat gadh, in Lakhpat taluka of Kachchh. The caves were discovered by K.K. Shastri in 1967 AD.
• Caves at Kaliya Dungar: They are the oldest architectural specimens of the Buddhist religion. They are located in Kaliya Dungar at Jhagadiya taluka in Bharuch district. Carved out of a single rock is an eleven feet high statue of a lion with two bodies and one mouth in form of a pillar.