VAHIJAKA KUBHA
24.583300,85.000000
Description
A trapezoid cave entrance gives access to man-made, polished rock chamber (5.5 x 3.5 m) with a vaulted roof, which had been excavated »for the purpose of a secluded residence« (FERGUSSON, J 1846: 38) and features an inscription perfectly identical with the one in –>Gopika Cave (STRASSER, R 1991: 194), the »Milkmaid cave« (FERGUSSON, J 1846: 38) or »Milkmaid's cave« (FERGUSSON, J 1846: 38). ETYMOLOGY: »There is a dry well near this cave and it seems it derived its ancient name ‘Vapuiyaka Kubha’ (cave of well) from this only« (note 1). So far, I saw this man-made meditation reteat referred to as Brahman girl's cave FERGUSSON, J (1846: 38) Mirza Mandi »house of Mirza« travel.indiamart.com/bihar (accessed 2002.05.21) Vapuiyaka Kubha »cave of well« travel.indiamart.com/bihar/caves (accessed 2002.05.21). SITUATION: In the Nagarjuni range north of the –>Gopika Cave, or »in the northern arm of this hill« (FERGUSSON, J 1846: 38) and north of the –>Gopika Cave. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1846: »It is in the northern arm of this hill that are situated two small vaulted caves, the first ten feet wide by fifteen long, and nine feet high, and the other about the same dimensions. In the inside they are partially polished, but without any architectural mouldings on them« (FERGUSSON, J 1846: 38). CAVE DESCRIPTION s.a.: »On north of Nagarjuna Hill is Mirza Mandi (house of Mirza) cave. This cave was excavated during the time of Dasharatha. There is a dry well near this cave and it seems it derived its ancient name ‘Vapuiyaka Kubha’ (cave of well) from this only. Several remains of buildings -- probably viharas -- can be seen around this site« (travel.indiamart.com/bihar/caves/nagarjuna-caves.h… accessed 2002.05.21). CULTURAL HISTORY - epigraphy (rock art): »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). LAW, B C (1937, 1976: 195) confirms an inscription mentioning Dasharatha. STRASSER, R (1991: 194): The inscription is perfectly identical with the one in –>Gopika Cave, in which king Dasaratha, grandson of Ashoka, dedicates the cave to Bhadanta Buddhists. 6th/7th century AD.
NOTE 1: travel.indiamart.com/bihar/caves/nagarjuna-caves.h… (accessed 2002.05.21).
Documents
Bibliography 03/07/2016Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | GOPI KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | KARAN CHAUPAR KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | LOMAS RISHI KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | PATALA GANGA, Barabar: Nagarjuni | ||
| 0.0 | SUDAMA KUBHA | ||
| 0.0 | VADATHIKA KUBHA | ||
| 11.6 | YONI DVARA, Gaya | ||
| 13.1 | JAYACHCHANDRA CAVE | ||
| 17.4 | PRAGBODHI CAVE, Kiryama: Dhongra Pahar |