GOPI KUBHA
24.583300,85.000000
Description
A south facing, rectangular-shaped cave entrance (0.75 m wide, 1.8 m high) gives access to one of the Nagarjuni group of Barabar "caves": A longish rock chamber with vaulted roof and rounded ends, measuring length width height 13.4 m 5.6 m 3.1 m HARINGTON, J H (1799); CAREY, W H (1887, 3: 85-86) 12 m 5.8 m LAW, B C (1937) 4.6 m 3 m 2.75 m FERGUSSON, J (1846: 38) 11 m 6 m 2 m STRASSER, R (1991).and cut from granite, with polished walls, and containing a Sanskrit inscription in »Lath characters« (FERGUSSON, J 1846: 38), according to which Ananta Varma, son of Sardoola (Shardula) Varma, sponsored the construction of this man-made "cave temple" (rock-cut chamber used for religious purposes) . ETYMOLOGY: The cave temple, which is said to be dedicated not only by Dasharatha on the occasion of his succession to the throne to the Ajivikas (LAW, B C 1937 edited 1976: 195) or by Dasaratha to Bhadantas (STRASSER, R 1991: 194) but also by Ananta Varma, son of Sardoola (Shardula) Varma (WILKINS 1799, 5th edition 1806: 168-169), is referred to as Gopi cave travel.indiamart.com/bihar/caves (accessed 2002.05.21) Gopi Höhle STRASSER, R (1991: 194) Gopi Koobha KITTOE, M (1847a: 410, plate VIII, figures 1, 2) Cave near Gyà HARINGTON, J H (1799 edited 1806: 276-277); CAREY, W H (1887, 3: 85) Milchmädchenhöhle FELSENTEMPEL (1864) Milkmaid Cave FERGUSSON, J (1846: 38) Milkmaid's Cave PRINSEP, J (1837); FERGUSSON, J (1846: 38) CAVE DESCRIPTION 1799: »Cave near Gyà … The hill, or rather rock, from which the cavern is dug, lies about fourteen miles [22.5 km] north of the ancient city of Gyá [Gaya], and seems to be one of the south-eastern hills of the chain of mountains called by Rennel, Caramshah [note 1], both being a short distance to the west of the Phulgó. It is now distinguished by the name of Nágurjenee; but this may perhaps be a modern appellation, no mention is being made in the inscription. Its texture is a kind of granite, called by Mohammedan natives, Sung Kháreh, which composes the whole rock, of a moderate height, very craggy and uneven, and steep in its ascent. The cave is situated on the southern declivity, about two thirds from the summit: a tree immediately before it prevents its being seen from the bottom. It has only one narrow entrance, from the south, two feet and a half in breadth, six feet high, and of thickness exactly equal. This leads to a room of oval form, with a vaulted roof, which I measured twice, and found to be forty-four feet in length from east to west, eighteen feet and a half in breadth, and ten feet and a quarter in height at the centre. This immense cavity is dug entirely out of the solid rock, and is exceedingly well polished, but without any ornament. The same stone extends much farther than the excavated part, on each side of it, and is altogether, I imagine, full an hundred feet in length. The inhabitants near know nothing of its history, or age … There are several other caves which I likewise visited« (HARINGTON, J H 1799, 5th edition 1806: 276-277). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1847: Cave description (KITTOE, M 1847a: 410), plan and two cross sections (KITTOE, M 1847a: plate VIII, figures 1, 2: Gopi Koobha) and a reports a salutation to Siddheshvar, written, or rather rudely cut in the doorway. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1887: »There is at Gya a wonderful cavern, which is thus described. It is situated on the southern declivity, and about two-thirds from the summit, of a hill or rather rock, about 14 miles north of the ancient city of Gya. It has only one entrance, two and a half feet in breadth, and six feet high. This leads to a room of an oval form, with a vaulted roof, forty-four feet in length, eighteen and a half feet in breadth and ten and a quarter in height at the centre. This immense cavity is dug entirely out of the solid rock, and is without any ornament. The date when and by whom excavated, are lost in obscurity …« (CAREY, W H 1887, 3: 85-86). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1937: Most important rock temple of the Nagarjuni group of Barabar "caves." More than 40 feet long and 19 feet wide, both ends being semi circular. The vaulted roof has a rise of four feet (LAW, B C 1937 edited 1976: 195). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002, undated: »On Nagarjuna Hills the most important cave is Gopi cave which is approachable by a flight of steps. A number of inscriptions have been found here. It is believed that in the middle of 19th century, some Islamic saints used to live in these caves« (travel.indiamart.com/bihar/caves/nagarjuna-caves.h… accessed 21.05.2002). CULTURAL HISTORY -- rock art (epigraphy): 1799: WILKINS (1799, 5th edition 1806: 168-169) gives a translation of the Sanskrit inscription recording the dedication by Ananta Varma, son of Sardoola (Shardula) Varma. 1837: Not seen: PRINSEP, James (1837). 1846: »It is on these caves that were found the two inscriptions in the Lath character, deciphered by Mr. Prinsep, in the sixth volume of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, as follows: "The Brahman girl's cave (and the Milkmaid cave respectively), excavated by the hands of the most devoted sect of Bauddha ascetics for the purpose of a secluded residence, was appointed their habitation in perpetuity by Dasaratha, the beloved of the gods, immediately on his ascending the throne." The character in which these inscriptions are written, evidently points to an era not distant from Asoka, and if the prince there mentioned is the Dasaratha, the grandson of that king, which I see no reason to doubt his being, we have at least two caves with an ascertained date, viz., about 200 B.C., and with the purpose for which they excavated explained« (FERGUSSON, J 1846: 38). 1847: A salutation to »Siddheshvar« (Siddheshwar, Lord of superhuman abilities), written, or rather rudely cut in the doorway (KITTOE, M 1847a: 410). 1937: Immediately over the doorway is a small panel containing an inscription recording the dedication of the cave to the Ajivikas by Dasharatha on the occasion of his succession to the throne (LAW, B C 1937 edited 1976: 195). 1991: According to an inscription in front of the cave (identical with the inscription in front of the –>Vahijaka Cave), Dasaratha dedicates the cave to »bhadantas« (Buddhist mendicants): »Die Gopi Höhle, eine Stätte, die so lange währt wie Sonne und Mond, wurde auf Anordnung von Dasaratha bei seiner Thronbesteigung für die hochverehrten Bhadantas (budhistische Asketen) geschaffen« (STRASSER, R 1991: 194). 2002, undated: »A number of inscriptions have been found here« (travel.indiamart.com/bihar/caves/nagarjuna-caves.h… accessed 21.05.2002).
NOTE 1: The cluster of the »Currumshaw Hills« in the Bengal Atlas of Major Rennell is a corruption of Karma champar, or 'Karma's Seat', the name of an ancient ruin on the hill (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 6: 425).
Documents
Bibliography 28/03/2016- Carey, W H 1887; Felsentempel in Indien 1865; Fergusson, James 1846; Harington, John Herbert 1799, 5th edition 1806; Kittoe, Markham 1847a; Law, Bimala Churn 1937 edited 1976; Longhurst, Albert Henry 1938; Prinsep, James 1837; Stone, Wilfred 1966, 1967; Strasser, Robert 1991; Wilkins, Charles 1799, 5th edition 1807.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | KARAN CHAUPAR KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | LOMAS RISHI KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | PATALA GANGA, Barabar: Nagarjuni | ||
| 0.0 | SUDAMA KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | VADATHIKA KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | VAHIJAKA KUBHA | ||
| 11.6 | YONI DVARA, Gaya | ||
| 13.1 | JAYACHCHANDRA CAVE | ||
| 17.4 | PRAGBODHI CAVE, Kiryama: Dhongra Pahar |