CHANDAN SHAHID PIR (Dargah ka)
24.950000,84.033300
Description
A modified natural sacred cave or rock shelter (temple cave) or a man-made rock temple, which contains an Ashoka (Asoka) inscription / edict, is situated at, near, or in the »dargah« (tomb) of the »Pir« (Muslim saint) Chandan Shahid (note 1) on the hill Hazrat Chandan Pir near the Sasaram (note 2) in Shahbad district, 123 km along the road from Gaya. BUCHANAN (later HAMILTON 1811-1812 edited 1926) must have passed by but does not mention the site. BIHAR (1986: 47) notes »An Ashokan edit in a cave and a mausoleum can also be seen on Chander Pir Hill.« Not seen: MARTIN (1838, 1: 423-430), ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY (Report for 1877-1878 ?, volume 9: 132-139).
NOTE 1: The Arabic (and Farsi / Persien, etc.) title "Hazrat" corresponds to »Reverend« or »Superior« (CROOKE, William, editior of Meer HASSAN ALI, B. [Mrs.] 1832 edited 1917 letter 7 note 19). NOTE 2: Sasaram (Sahesaram) 24°57'N: 84°01'E (Everest 1830, IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909) or 24°57'N: 84°02'E (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) in the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 58 A1) lies at travelling distances of 118 km along the National Highway NH2 (Great Trunk Road) approximately ESE from Varanasi (Benares, 25°20'N: 83°00'E) and 105 km along the road (via Shergati) west of Gaya (24°47'N: 85°00'E).
Documents
Bibliography 28/03/2016- Archaeological Survey 1877-1878; BIHAR 1986; Robert Montgomery MARTIN 1838.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | TARA CHANDI DEVI (Cave of) | ||
| 6.5 | TELHARKUND ROCK SHELTERS | ||
| 31.3 | GUPTADHAM | ||
| 33.3 | SHERGARH UNDERGROUNDS | ||
| 33.3 | SHERGARH STEPWELL | ||
| 99.8 | JAYACHCHANDRA CAVE | ||
| 100.3 | KRISHNA CAVE, Gaya | ||
| 102.9 | Barabar Caves | ||
| 104.1 | RUDRAKA CAVE |