DHAMNAR CAVES
24.200000,75.500000
Description
Man-made rock temples (rock chambers excavated for religious purposes) are excavated from the »cellular iron clay« (TOD, J 1829-1832, 2: 577-581) »laterite« (NEWBOLD, T J 1846f: 234) »coarse laterite of a very friable description« (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 11: 283) exposed on the low Deogarh Hill at Dhamnar (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: So far, I saw the place name referred to as Dhamnar Indian Archaeology: A Review [IAR] (1980-81 / 1983: 118); IMPERIAL GAZETTEER (1907-1909, 11: 283); DESHPANDE, M N (1992); INDIA ROAD ATLAS (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 52 D3) Dhamner Indian Archaeology: A Review [IAR] (1980-81 / 1983: 126) Dhoomnar (sorry, source lost) Doomnar NEWBOLD, T J (1846f: 234) Doomraar BELL, W (1820). CAVE DESCRIPTION: At Dhamnar itself (the finest are –>Bari Kacheri and –>Bhim's Bazar on Deogarh hill) and within a radius of 30 km from Dhamnar at –>Poladongar (in Garot), –>Kholvi (also: Kolvi), –>Awar, and –>Benaiga in Jhalawar, and at –>Hatigaon and –>Ramagaon in Tonk). The Dhamnar "caves" were first reported by Lieut. W. BELL in the Calcutta Government Gazette (28 September 1820): »Literary and philosophical intelligence: Major General T. Hardwicke presented to the Asiatic Society of Bengal a book of drawing of curious remains of Hindoo antiquity, communicated to him by Lieut. W. Bell, of the regiment of artillery. These drawings are descriptive of excavations on the hill of Doomraar …« Briefly described by TOD, J (1829-1832, 2: 577-581), who counted over 170 "caves" in this »subterranean town« excavated from »cellular iron clay« (laterite). IMPERIAL GAZETTEER (1907-1909, 11: 283): »The Buddhist excavations are situated at three points on the scarp of the hill [Deogarh Hill], but only those on the southern face are of any importance. These consist of a series of rock-cut caves, some being dwelling-rooms and others viharas (monasteries) and chaitya halls (churches). There are fourteen caves of importance of which the Bari Kacheri (big courthouse) and Bhim's Bazar are the finest. […] The remaining caves are smaller. One contains a recumbent [reclining] figure of the dying Buddha [note 2]; and figues of Buddha occur in other caves. […] The Brahmanical excavation [–>Dharmnath] lies north of these caves. A pit 104 feet by 67 and 30 feet [31.7 by 20.4 m wide, 3 m] deep has been cut in the solid rock, so as to leave a central shrine surrounded by seven smaller ones. The shrines have the appearance of an ordinary temple, but are hewn out of the rock in which the pit was sunk, the spire of the central temple being on a level with the ground at the edge of the pit. A long passage cut through the rock leads into the pit from the east …« SITUATION 1846: »In the lateritic belt running west of Indore, Oojein, Mahidpore, and Barode, I perceive Captain Dangerfield [note 3] has marked down in his map the site of some caves at Doomnar« (NEWBOLD, T J 1846f Summary: 234).
NOTE 1: Dhamnar (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 11: 283; DESHPANDE, M N 1992); Dhoomnar (?); Doomraar (BELL, W 1820) 24°12'N: 75°30'E (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 11: 283) or 24°11'N: 75°30'E (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003). NOTE 2: YULE, H (1871 / 1875: The book of Ser Marco Polo.- London: John Murray) edited by CORDIER, H1903 / 1920): The travels of Marco Polo.-) vol. 1, chapter XLIV: The City of Campichu.- note 2) has »heard of but one such image remaining in India, viz. in one of the caves at Dhamnar in Malwa. This is 15 feet long, and is popularly known as "Bhim's Baby." (Cathay, etc., pp. cciii., ccxviii.; Mission to Ava, p. 52; V. et V. de H. T., p. 374: Cunningham's Archael. Reports, ii. 274; Tod, ii. 273).« NOTE 3: »Malcolm's Central India, Vol II., Geolog. Map« (NEWBOLD, T J 1846f: 234 footnote).
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | BHIM's BAZAR, Dhamnar | ||
| 0.0 | BARI KACHERI | ||
| 0.0 | HATHIGAON CAVES | ||
| 0.0 | RAMAGAON CAVES | ||
| 0.0 | KHOLVI (Caves at) | ||
| 0.0 | DHARMNATHA CAVE | ||
| 16.9 | Benaiga Caves | ||
| 20.0 | POLADONGAR CAVES | ||
| 37.9 | AWAR (Caves near) |