World Heritage Sites - Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri (1986), Uttar Pradesh

Sikri an extension of the upper Vindhyan ranges is situated on the bank of a large natural lake, which has now mostly dried up. t is a pre-historic site and, with abundant water, forest and raw material, it was ideal for primiti!e man"s habitation. #ock shelters with paintings exist on the periphery of the lake. Stone age tools ha!e been found in this area. $chre %oloured &ottery 'c. (nd millennium ).%.* and &ainted +rey Ware 'c.,(---.-).%.* ha!e also been disco!ered from here.

Sikri has been mentioned in the /ahabharata as 0Saik". 1exicons define 0Saik" as a region surrounded by water. 2n inscription found on the stone sculpture of 3aina Saraswati 'dated ,-45 Vikram Sam!at 6 ,-,- 2.7.* mentions this place as 0Sekrikya", which seems to be a similar deri!ati!e. 2ll this shows that Sikri was continuously inhabited since the prehistoric period.

)abur !isited the place on the e!e of the 8hanwah battle in 2.7. ,9(5 and mentioned it as 0Sikri" in his /emoirs. He founded here a garden and a 3al-/ahal surrounded by the lake-water, and a baoli 'step-well* to commemorate his !ictory in the 8hanwah battle. 2kbar ',994-,4-9*, grandson of )abur, shifted his residence and court from 2gra to Sikri, for a period of ,: years, from ,95( to ,9.9 to honour the Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim %hishti, who resided here 'in a ca!ern on the ridge*. 2kbar re!ered him !ery much as the Saint had blessed him with a son who was named Salim in ,94;. He raised lofty buildings for his use, and houses for the public. <hus grew, a great city with charming palaces and institutions. 2kbar ga!e it the name of Fathabad and which in later days came to be known as =Fathpur Sikri>.

Here practically, all /ughal institutions such as the 0 badat-8hanah", 07in-i- lahi", 0<arikh-i- lahi" , 3harokha-7arshan, the doctrine of Sulh-i-8ul and policy of liberal patronage to indigenous arts and literatures, were founded. t was also here that workshops of !arious handicrafts were established. Sikri was the first planned city of the /ughals. <he sloping le!els of the city were connected into terraces which were utilised for !arious complexes such as 3ami mas?id, )uland7arwa@ah and tomb of Sheikh Salim %hishtiA 8hass /ahal, Shahi-)a@ar, /ina-)a@ar, the &anch-/ahal, 8hwabgah, 7iwan-i-8hass, 2nup-<alao, %haupar and 7iwan-i-2m. <he efficient system of drainage and water-supply adopted here suggest an extremely intelligent town-planning by the /ughal emperor.

2ll these palaces were built of red sandstone in the trabeate beam-and-post order, and composed of pillars, ornamental arches, brackets-and-chha??as, ?harokhas, chhatris, chhaparkhats, chaukhandis and so on. 7omes ha!e been used sparingly. Sometimes corbelled pendenti!es ha!e been employed in the transition phase.

<he architecture of Fatehpur Sikri has a definite all- ndia character. t is prolific and !ersatile ndo-/uslim composite style, which is a fussion of the composite cultures of indigenous and foreign origins.

$pen from sunrise to sunset Bntrance FeeC Citizens of India and visitors of SAA C ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, &akistan, /aldi!es and 2fghanistan* and ) /S<B% %ountries ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, <hailand and /yanmar* - #s. ,- per head.

$thersC ES F 9 or ndian #s. (9-G- per head '2S *A #s. ,-G- per head '272* #s. 9--G- ticket of 272 purchased at <a? /ahal is !alid for the monuments of 2gra Fort, timadi-ud-daula, 2kbar"s <omb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri

!a" #aha$ (198%), Uttar Pradesh <a? /ahal, the pinnacle of /ughal architecture, was built by the /ughal emperor Shah 3ahan ',4(.-,49.*, grandson of 2kbar the great, in the memory of his Hueen 2r?umand

)ano )egum, entitled 0/umta@ /ahal". /umta@ /ahal was a niece of empress Dur 3ahan and granddaughter of /ir@a +hias )eg "timad-ud-7aula, wa@ir of emperor 3ehangir. She was born in ,9;: and died in ,4:,, during the birth of her fourteenth child at )urhanpur. Her mortal remains were temporarily buried in the Iainabad garden. Six months later, her body was transferred to 2gra to be finally enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb of the <a? /ahal. <he <a? /ahal is the mausoleum of both /umta@ /ahal and Shah 3ahan. <he mausoleum is located on the right bank of the ri!er Jamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards. $riginally, the land where the <a? /ahal presently stands belonged to the 8achhwahas of 2?mer '#a?asthan*. <he land was acHuired from them in lieu of four ha!elis as is testified by a court historian, 2bdul Hamid 1ahauri, in his work titled the )adshah-Damah and the firmans 'royal decrees*. For construction, a network of wells was laid along the ri!er line to support the huge mausoleum buildings. /asons, stonecutters, inlayers, car!ers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were reHuisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from %entral 2sia and ran. While bricks for internal constructions were locally prepared, white marble for external use in !eneering work was obtained from /akrana in #a?asthan. Semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of ndia, %eylon and 2fghanistan. #ed sandstone of different tints was reHuisitioned from the neighbouring Huarries of Sikri, 7holpur, etc. t took ,5 years for the monument complex to be completed in ,4K.. n all, the <a? /ahal co!ers an area of 4- bighas, as the terrain gradually sloped from south to north, towards the ri!er, in the form of descending terraces. 2t the southern point is the forecourt with the main gate in front and tombs of 2kbarabadi )egum and Fatehpuri )egum, two other Hueens of Shah 3ahan, on its south-east and south-west corners respecti!ely called Saheli )ur? , and (. $n the second terrace is a spacious sHuare garden, with side pa!ilions. t is di!ided into four Huarters by broad shallow canals of water, with wide walkways and cypress a!enues on the sides. <he water channels and fountains are fed by o!erhead water tanks. <hese four Huarters are further di!ided into the smaller Huarters by broad causeways, so that the whole scheme is in a perfect char-bagh.

<he main tomb of the <a? is basically sHuare with chamfered corners. <he minarets here are detached, facing the chamfered angles 'corners* of the main tomb on the main plinth. #ed sandstone mosHue on the western, and /ehman-8hana on the eastern side of the tomb pro!ides aesthetically a clear colour contrast. <he <a? has some wonderful specimens of polychrome inlay art both in the interior and exterior on the dados, on cenotaphs and on the marble ?ha??hari '?ali-screen* around them.

&pen fro' Sunrise to Sunset Friday closedA open for offering prayer in the mosHue between ,( Doon to ( &./. Dight !iewing on Full /oon 7ay and two days before and after it, excluding Fridays and in the month of #am@an (ntran)e Fee* %iti@ens of ndia and !isitors of S22#% ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, &akistan, /aldi!es and 2fghanistan* and ) /S<B% %ountries ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, <hailand and /yanmar* #s. ,- per head. $thersC #s. (9-G- per head '2S *A #s. 9--G- per head as <oll <ax '2gra 7e!elopment 2uthority* #s. 9--G- ticket of 272 is !alid for the monuments of 2gra Fort, timadi-ud-daula, 2kbar"s <omb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri 'children up to ,9 years free*

World Heritage Sites - 2gra - Fort

A+ra Fort (198%), Uttar Pradesh 2gra Fort is located '(5- ,-" K5""D L 5.- ," (("" B* on the right bank of the ri!er Jamuna in the city of 2gra in Ettar &radesh. t is one of the most important and robustly built stronghold of the /ughals, embellished with number of richly decorated buildings encompassing the imposing /ughal style of art and architecture. t was constructed by the third /ughal emperor 2kbar on the remains of an ancient site known as )adalgarh. Sikandar 1odi ',K.5-,9,5* was the first Sultan of 7elhi to shift his capital from 7elhi to 2gra. 2fter Sikandar 1odi who died in ,9,5, his son brahim 1odi held the fort for ; years until he was defeated and killed in the battle of &anipat in ,9(4. Se!eral palaces, wells and a mosHue were built in the fort during the 1odi period.

When )abur sent his son Humayun to 2gra, he captured the fort and sei@ed a !ast treasure, which included the world famous 08oh-i-noor" diamond as well. )abur built a baoli 'step-wall* here. Humayun was coronated here in ,9:-. Da@am, a watercarrier 'saHHa*, who had sa!ed Humayun from drowning, was crowned here as an emperor for half-a-day. 2fter Humayun"s defeat at )ilgram in ,9K-, Sher Shah of the Sur dynasty occupied 2gra fort and garrisoned it.

2kbar arri!ed in 2gra in ,99.. He ordered to reno!ate the fort with red sandstone. Some K--- builders daily worked on it and it was completed in . years ',949-,95:*. <he fort, semi-circular on plan, is surrounded by a (,.K m high fortification wall. 7ouble ramparts ha!e been pro!ided here with broad massi!e circular bastions at regular inter!als. <here are four gates on its four sides, one of the gates was called =khi@ri-gate> 'the water gate* which opens to the ri!er front, where ghats 'Huays* were pro!ided .<he fort has sur!i!ed through the onslaught of time, nature and men. <he fort spreads o!er an area of about ;K acres of land. 2t present, there exist more than two do@ens of monuments in the Fort. 2bul Fa@l, a court historian of 2kbar, records that 9--- buildings were built here beautifully in )engali and +u?arati style. /ost of these buildings ha!e now disappeared. Shah 3ahan himself demolished some of these in order to make room for his white marble palaces. 1ater, the )ritish destroyed most of the buildings for raising barracks. Hardly :- /ughal buildings ha!e sur!i!ed on the southeastern side. $f these, the 7elhi-+ate, 2kbari-+ate and 0)engali-/ahal", are representati!e of buildings raised during the reign of 2kbar. 3ahangir mostly resided at 1ahore and in 8ashmir, though he !isited 2gra regularly and li!ed in the fort. Shah 3ahan, a great builder, raised white marble palaces here. He also built three white marble mosHues in itC /oti-/as?id, Dagina-/as?id and /ina-/as?id. 2urang@eb imprisoned Shah 3ahan, his own father, in the fort for . years until he died in ,444 and was buried in the <a? /ahal. <he barbicans around the two gates and on the ri!erside were built by 2urang@eb to strengthen its defences. <hough Shah 3ahan had formally transferred his capital to 7elhi, in ,4:., he continued to li!e here. )ut after his death, 2gra lost its grandeur. 2urang@eb remained busy in the regional conflicts and wars. Jet, time and again, he li!ed here and held the durbar. Shi!a?i came to 2gra in ,444 and met 2urang@eb in the 7iwan-i-8has. 2urang@eb died in ,5-5 and ,.th century history of 2gra Fort is a saga of sieges and plunder during which it was held by the 3ats and the /arathas and finally the )ritish captured it from the latter in ,.-:.

$pen from sunrise to sunset Bntrance FeeC Citizens of India and visitors of SAA C ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, &akistan, /aldi!es and 2fghanistan* and ) /S<B% %ountries ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, <hailand and /yanmar* - #s. ,- per head.

$thersC ES F 9 or ndian #s. (9-G- per head '2S *A #s. 9--G- per head as <oll <ax '2gra 7e!elopment 2uthority* 'Fridays free entry by 272* #s. 9--G- ticket of 272 is !alid for the monuments of 2gra Fort, timadi-ud-daula, 2kbar"s <omb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri

World Heritage Sites - 8onarak - Sun <emple

Sun !e'p$e, ,onarak (198-), &rissa

)uilt in the thirteenth century, it was concei!ed as a gigantic solar chariot with twel!e pairs of exHuisitely-ornamented wheels dragged by se!en rearing horses. <he temple comprised a sanctum with a lofty 'presumably o!er 4. m. high* sikhara, a ?agamohana ':-. m. sHuare and :-. m. high* and a detached nata-mandira 'hall of dance* in the same axis, besides numerous subsidiary shrines. <he sanctum and the nata-mandira ha!e lost their roof. <he nata-mandira exhibits a more balanced architectural design than that of other $rissan temples. <he sanctum displays superb images of the Sun-god in the three pro?ections which are treated as miniature shrines. <he sanctum and the ?agamohana together stand on a common platform studded with an intricate wealth of decorati!e ornaments and sculptures, often of a highly erotic type.

<he roof of the ?agamohana, made of hori@ontal tiers grouped in three stages with life-si@e female sculptures of matchless charm and delicacy adorning each stage, the whole surmounted by two stupendous crowning members, produces a picturesHue contrast of light and shade and is unparalleled for its grandeur and structural propriety. /a?estic in conception, this temple is indeed one of the sublimest monuments of ndia, notable as much for its imposing dimensions and faultless proportions as for the harmonious integration of architectural grandeur with plastic elegance.

#a.adevi !e'p$e C- <o the west of the main temple are the remains of temple no.( popularly called the temple of /ayade!i, belie!ed to ha!e been one of the wi!es of 1ord Surya. )ut the presence of the sun images as pars!ade!ata insitu indicate its dedication to the sun god, built earlier than the main Sun temple. <he temple facing east, consists of a sanctum 'deul* and a porch '3agamohana* standing o!er a raised platform, faMade of which is relie!ed with ornamentation. <he superstructures of the sanctum and porch are missing. <he interior of the porch is notable for their sculptural treatment while the sanctum is de!oid of any deity. Stylistically, the temple is assignable to circa late ele!enth century 27. /aishnava !e'p$eC- <he small brick temple facing east in south-west corner of the compound was disco!ered in ,;94 during the sand clearance. 2lso called temple no.: is pancharatha on plan. t consists of a deul and a 3agamohana but with the superstructure is missing and de!oid of any exterior decoration. mages of )alarama and two pars!ade!atas of Varaha and <ri!ikrama were unearthed 'now displayed in 2rchaeological /useum, 8onark* pro!ing its Vaishna!a affiliation. <he temple is datable to circa ele!enth century 2.7.

$pen from sunrise to sunset Bntrance FeeC Citizens of India and visitors of SAA C ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, &akistan, /aldi!es and 2fghanistan* and ) /S<B% %ountries ')angladesh, Depal, )hutan, Sri 1anka, <hailand and /yanmar* - #s. ,- per head. $thersC ES F 9 or ndian #s. (9-G- per head

World Heritage Sites - 8ha?uraho +roup of <emples, 8ha?uraho ',;.4*, /adhya &radesh

8ha?uraho, the ancient 8har??ura-!ahaka represent today a distinct pattern of art and temple architecture of its own reminding

one of the rich and creati!e period it witnessed during the %handella rule. t was the principal seat of authority of the %handella rulers who adorned it with numerous tanks, scores of lofty temples of sculptural grace and architectural splendour. <he local tradition lists eighty-fi!e temples but now only twenty-fi!e are standing examples in !arious stages of preser!ation. )ut for %hausath-Jogini, )rahma and /ahade!a which are of granite, all the other temples are of fine grained sandstone, buff, pink or pale yellow in colour. Jaso!arman '27 ;9K* built the temple of Vishnu, now famous as 1akshmana temple is an ornate and e!ol!ed example of its time proclaiming the prestige of the %handellas. <he Vis!anatha, &ars!anatha and Vaidyanatha temples belong to the time of king 7hanga, the successor of Jaso!arman. <he 3agadambi, %hitragupta, are noteworthy among the western group of royal temples of 8ha?uraho. <he largest and grandest temple of 8ha?uraho is the immortal 8andariya /ahade!a which is attributed to king +anda '27 ,-,5-(;*. <he other examples that followed !i@., Vamana, 2dinatha, 3a!ari, %haturbhu? and 7uladeo, are smaller but elaborately designed. <he 8ha?uraho groups of temples are noted for lofty terraces '?agati* and functionally effecti!e plans comprising of an ardhamandapa, acting as entrance generally adorned with makara torana and kakshasana, the mandapa, as the hall with antarala leading to garbha griha or sanctum. <he larger temples ha!e mahamandapas in front of the ardhamandapa. <hey also ha!e minor shrines at four corners and thus categori@ed as pancayatana. <he exterior of the temples are richly decorated. n contrast, 3a!ari and )rahma temples are simpler creations.

<he sculptural embellishments include, besides the cult imagesA pari!ara, pars!a, a!arana de!atas, dikpalas, the apsarases and sura-sundaris which win uni!ersal admiration for their delicate, youthful female forms of ra!ishing beauty. <he attire and ornamentation embrace the winsome grace and charm. <he recent exca!ation at )i?a /andal in 3atkara near

8ha?uraho has re!ealed the remains of a huge temple base datable to ,,th century 2.7. which extends o!er K m than the largest known temple '8andariya /ahadeo <emple*. 2n exHuisite image of Saras!ati was also found from here.

$pen from sunrise to sunset Bntrance FeeC %iti@ens of ndia - #s. ,-G- per head $thersC ES F 9 or ndian #s. (9-G- per head World Heritage Sites - /ahabalipuram +roup of /onuments /ahabalipuram ',;.K*, <amil Dadu

/amallapuram, the city of /amalla, is after the title of great &alla!a ruler Darasimha!arman- '27 4:--4.*. t was a sea-port during the time of &eriplus ',st century 27* and &tolemy '27 ,K-* and many ndian colonists sailed to South-Bast 2sia through this port town. While there is some e!idence of architectural acti!ity going back to the period of /ahendra!arman- '27 4---:-*, the father of /amalla, most of the monuments like rock-cut rathas, sculptured scenes on open rocks like 2r?unaNs penance, the ca!es of +o!ardhanadhari and /ahishasuramardini, the 3ala-Sayana &erumal temple 'the sleeping /aha!ishnu or %hakrin at the rear part of the Shore temple complex* are attributed to the period of Darasimha!arman- /amalla. $f the nine monolithic temples found in /ahabalipuram, the most important are Fi!e #athas known after the famous fi!e &anda!a brothers of the /ahabharata fame. <hese monuments are car!ed out a single rock with choice of all known forms of plan and ele!ations. While the 7harmara?a, 2r?una and 7raupadi rathas are sHuare on plan, the )hima and +anesa rathas are rectangular and Sahade!a ratha apsidal. <he 7raupadi ratha is a simple hut like kutagara shrine while the 2r?una ratha is a d!itala !imana with a mukhamandapa. <he )hima ratha is rectangular on plan with a salakara wagon-!aulted roof. <he 7harmara?a ratha is a tritala !imana ha!ing functional shrines at all the talas. <he Dakula-Sahade!a ratha with an apsidal plan

and ele!ation indicate the experimental tendency of the architect.

<hough monolithic sculpturing, both cut-in and cutout, continued e!en during later periods '2tiranachanda ca!e, &idari rathas and <iger-ca!e*, the structural architecture was introduced on a grand scale by &alla!a #a?asimha '27 5---(.*, culminating in erection of the world famous Shore temple. <he Shore temple is a complex of three temples, !i@, #a?asimhes!ara 'a small tritala !imana facing west*, the 8shatriyasimhes!ara 'the larger east facing !imana* and Dripatisimha &alla!a Vishnugriha 'an east facing, oblong, flat-roofed mandapa shrine* housing the reclining Vishnu. <hese shrines are enclosed by two prakara walls with openings constructed in later times. <he inner surface of prakara walls once contained panel sculptures which are worn out now. <he notable ca!e temples here are the Varaha mandapa, /ahisamardini mandapa, &arames!ara /aha!araha Vishnugriha '2di!araha ca!e*. <hese are in the /amalla style while the 2diranchanda ca!es temples belong to the /ahendra period. <he ca!es here were once plastered and painted as indicated by the remains. 2fter #a?asimha, there is lull in the architectural acti!ity of the place, sa!e a few additions during late-&alla!a and %hola times. <he grandiose Vi?ayanagara phase here is represented by the #a?a +opurams and the Sthala-Sayana temple, ?uxtaposed to the car!ed boulder of 2r?unaNs penance. #ecent exca!ations to the north and south of the Shore <emple ha!e re!ealed rock-cut figures representing religious themes of period prior to the construction to the temple. )esides, a monolithic )hu!araha, a reclining image of Vishnu, the base of 7urga shrine with deer and a sHuare socket possibly to accommodate mahastambha ha!e also been exposed. <o the south of the Shore <emple was exposed a stepped ghat facing the sea.

$pen from 4 2./. to 4 &./. World Heritage Sites - Hampi +roup of monuments at Hampi ',;.4*, 8arnataka

<raditionally known as &ampakshetra of 8ishkindha, Hampi is situated on the southern bank of the ri!er <ungabhadra. $nce it was the seat of the mighty Vi?ayanagara empire. <he monuments of Vi?ayanagara city, also known as Vidyanagara in honour of the sage Vidyaranya were built between 27 ,::4-,95-, from the times of Harihara- to Sadasi!a #aya. 2 large number of royal buildings were raised by 8rishnade!a #aya '27 ,9-;-:-*, the greatest ruler of the dynasty. <he period witnessed resurgence of Hindu religion, art, architecture in an unprecedented scale. <he contemporary chroniclers who came from far off countries-such as 2rabia, taly, &ortugal and #ussia !isited the empire, ha!e left graphic and glowing accounts of the city. t co!ers an area of nearly (4 sH km and is stated to be enclosed by se!en lines of fortifications.

Bxtensi!e remains of the palaces can be seen within innermost enclosure of the ancient Vi?ayanagara. <he !arious religious and secular structures which include Hindu and 3aina temples, audience hall of the king, the magnificent throne platform to witness the festi!als and other e!ents, the kingNs balance 'tulabhara* are aweinspiring.

<emples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate car!ings, stately pillars, magnificent pa!ilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions which include sub?ects from the #amayana and the /ahabharata. <he largest extant temple is that of &ampapati 'now in worship* was extensi!ely reno!ated. ts magnificent entrance tower was caused by 8rishnade!a #aya. <he Vitthala temple is an excellent example of Vi?ayanagara style. <he monolithic statues of 1akshmi, Darasimha and +anesa are noted for their massi!eness and grace.

<he 8rishna temple, &attabhirama temple, Ha@ara #amachandra and %handrasekhara temple as also the 3aina temples, are other examples. /a?ority of these temples were pro!ided with widespread ba@aars flanked on either side by storeyed mandapas. 2mong secular edifices mention may be made of the Ienana enclosure wherein a massi!e stone basement of the OueenNs palace and an ornate pa!ilion called N1otus-/ahal are only remnants of a luxurious antahpura. <he corner towers of arresting ele!ation, the 7hananayakaNs enclosure 'treasury*, the /ahana!ami 7ibba carrying beautifully sculptured panels, a !ariety of ponds and tanks, mandapas, the elephantNs stables and the row of pillared mandapas are some of the important architectural remains of this city.

#ecent exca!ations at the site ha!e brought to light a large number of palatial complexes and basements of se!eral platforms. nteresting finds include a large number of stone images, both in round and relief, beautiful terracotta ob?ects and stucco figures that once embellished the palaces. n addition many gold and copper coins, household utensils, a sHuare stepped-tank 'saro!ara* at the south-west of /ahana!ami 7ibba, and a large number of ceramics including the important !ariety of porcelain and inscribed )uddhist sculptures of (nd -:rd century 27 ha!e also been unearthed. World Heritage Sites - 2?anta %a!es <he 2?anta %a!es ',;.:* /aharashtra <he 2?anta %a!es '59PK-" DA (-P:-" B* are situated at a distance of ,-5 km north of 2urangabad, the district headHuarters. <he ca!es attained the name from a nearby !illage named 2?anta located about ,( km. <hese ca!es were disco!ered by an 2rmy $fficer in the /adras #egiment of the )ritish 2rmy in ,.,; during one of his hunting expeditions. nstantly the disco!ery became !ery famous and 2?anta attained a !ery important tourist destination in the world. <he ca!es, famous for its murals, are the finest sur!i!ing examples of ndian art, particularly painting. <hese ca!es are exca!ated in horseQshoe shaped bend of rock surface nearly 54 m in height o!erlooking a narrow stream known as Waghora. <he location of this !alley pro!ided a calm and serene en!ironment for the )uddhist monks who retreated at these secluded places during the rainy seasons. <his retreat also pro!ided them with enough time for furthering their religious pursuits through intellectual discourses for a considerably longer period. <he ca!es were exca!ated in different periods 'circa. (nd century ).%. to 4th century 2.7.* according to the necessity. Bach ca!e was connected to the stream by a flight of steps,

which are now almost obliterated, albeit traces of some could be noticed at some places. n all, total :- exca!ations were hewn out of rock which also include an unfinished one. $ut of these, fi!e 'ca!e no. ;, ,-, ,;, (4, and (;* are chaityagrihas and the rest are !iharas. n date and style also, these ca!es can be di!ided into two broad groups. <he earliest exca!ations belong to the Hinayana phase of )uddhism of which similar examples could also be seen at )ha?a, 8ondane, &italkhora, Dasik, etc. n total, 9 ca!es at 2?anta belong to this phase, !i@., ; L ,- which are chaityagrihas and ., ,(, ,:, L ,92 which are !iharas. <hese ca!es are datable to the pre-%hristian era, the earliest among them being %a!e ,- dating from the second century ).%. <he ob?ect of worship is a stupa here and these ca!es exhibit the imitation of wooden construction to the extent that the rafters and beams are also sculpted e!en though they are non-functional. <he addition of new exca!ations could be noticed again during the period of Vakatakas, the contemporaries of the mperial +uptas. <he ca!es were caused to be exca!ated by royal patronage and the feudatories under the Vakatakas as illustrated by the inscriptions found in the ca!es. Varahade!a, the minister of Vakataka king Harishena '2.7. K59-9--* dedicated %a!e ,4 to the )uddhist Sangha while %a!e ,5 was the gift of a prince 'who sub?ugated 2smaka* feudatory to the same king. <he flurry of acti!ities at 2?anta was between mid 9th century 2.7. to mid 4th century 2.7. Howe!er, Hieun <sang, the famous %hinese tra!eller who !isited ndia during the first half of 5th century 2.7. has left a !i!id and graphic description of the flourishing )uddhist establishment here e!en though he did not !isit the ca!es. 2 solitary #ashtrakuta inscription in ca!e no. (4 indicates its use during .th Q ;th centuries 2.7. <he second phase departs from the earlier one with the introduction of new pattern in layout as well as the centrality of )uddha image, both in sculpture as well as in paintings <he world famous paintings at 2?anta also fall into two broad phases. <he earliest is noticed in the form of fragmentary specimens in ca!e nos. ; L ,-, which are datable to second century ).%. <he headgear and other ornaments of the images in these paintings resemble the bas-relief sculpture of Sanchi and )harhut. <he second phase of paintings started around 9th Q 4th centuries 2.7. and continued for the next two centuries. <he specimen of these exemplary paintings of Vakataka period could be noticed in ca!e nos. ,, (, ,4 and ,5. <he !ariation in style and execution in these paintings also are noticed, mainly due to different authors of them. 2 decline in the execution is also noticed in some paintings as indicated by some rigid, mechanical and lifeless figures of )uddha in some later period paintings. <he main theme of the paintings is the depiction of !arious 3ataka stories, different incidents associated with the life of )uddha, and the contemporary e!ents and social life also. <he ceiling decoration in!ariably consists of decorati!e patterns, geometrical as well as floral. <he paintings were executed after elaborate preparation of the rock surface initially. <he rock surface was left with chisel marks and groo!es so that the layer applied o!er it can be held in an effecti!e manner. <he ground layer consists of a rough layer of ferruginous earth mixed with rock-grit or sand, !egetable fibres, paddy husk, grass and other fibrous material of organic origin on the rough surface of walls and ceilings. 2 second coat of mud and ferruginous earth mixed with fine rock-powder or sand and fine fibrous !egetable material was applied o!er the ground surface. <hen the surface was finally finished with a thin coat of lime wash. $!er this surface, outlines are drawn boldly, then the spaces are filled with reHuisite colours in different shades and tones to achie!e the effect of rounded and plastic !olumes. <he colours and shades utilised also !ary from red and yellow ochre, terra !erte, to lime, kaolin, gypsum, lamp black and lapis la@uli. <he chief binding material used here was glue. <he paintings at 2?anta are not frescoes as they are painted with the aid of a binding agent, whereas in fresco the paintings are executed while the

lime wash is still wet which, thereby acts as an intrinsic binding agent. World Heritage Sites - Bllora %a!es Bllora %a!es ',;.:*, /aharashtra <he Bllora ca!es, locally known as 0Verul 1eni" is located on the 2urangabad-%halisgaon road at a distance of :- km north-northwest of 2urangabad, the district headHuarters. <he name Bllora itself inspires e!eryone as it represents one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the entire world. Bllora is also world famous for the largest single monolithic exca!ation in the world, the great 8ailasa '%a!e ,4*. <he !isit to these ca!es is en?oyed maximum during monsoon, when e!ery stream is filled with rainwater, and the entire en!iron is lush green. <he monsoon is not only a season of rains in this part, the local !isitors are attracted to !isit these ideal locations to ha!e a glimpse of the mother nature in full bloom. <he ca!es are hewn out of the !olcanic basaltic formation of /aharasthra, known as 07eccan <rap", the term trap being of Scandina!ian origin representing the step like formation of the !olcanic deposits. <he rock formation, on weathering has gi!en rise to the appearance of terraces with flat summits. 2t Bllora, one can also ha!e a glimpse of the channels 'near %a!e :(* through which the !olcanic la!a once flowed. <hese channels, due to o!erheating, ha!e a characteristic brownish red colour. Similar rock was used in the construction of the +rishneshwar <emple nearby and also utilised for the flooring of the pathways at )ibi-ka-/aHbara.

<he hills in which the ca!es are hewn, forms part of the Sahyadri ranges of the 7eccan and dated to the %retaceous era of the +eological time scale 'about 49 million years ago*. <he hills rise abruptly from the surrounding plains on the south and west, the western surface being extensi!ely utilised for hewing the ca!e complexes. <he hill also supports se!eral streams, the prominent among them being the Blaganga, which drains into the Shi!, a stream of the +oda!ari ri!er system. <he Blaganga is in its full !igour during the monsoon, when the o!erflowing waters of a barrage in the upstream near /ahismati allows the gushing waters to land at =Sita-ki-nahani> near %a!e (; as a crashing waterfall. <he !olcanic la!a flowed during different periods, ga!e rise to extensi!e hori@ontal flows alternating with !esicular trap beds. <he !esicular traps formed the upper portion of each of the massi!e trap beds. <he different la!a flows also ga!e rise to !ertical as well as hori@ontal ?oints in the rock formation. 7epending upon the nature and mineralogical content of the la!a flow, the rock formations also !aried in character and texture, gi!ing rise to !arious Hualities like coarse grained, fine grained formations. <he ancient builders at Bllora, like other places, particularly chose the fine grained

formations of the 7eccan trap, ideal for sculpting and rock hewing. n addition to this, the ancient builders also traced the hori@ontal and !ertical ?oints in the rock formation to minimise the labour and time during exca!ation and rock splitting. <he basaltic rock is also ideal for rock hewing, as they are soft during the initial exca!ation and hardens on exposure to en!ironment. <he basaltic formation of the 7eccan is ideal for rock hewing, the techniHue widely understood during ancient times. <his induced the religious followers of !arious creeds to establish their settlements in them. )y a rough estimate, there are nearly ,(-- ca!es of !arying si@es in the entire /aharashtra, out of which nearly ;-- alone belong to )uddhism. <he region is also famous for its antiHuity. t has been inhabited since time immemorial, the stone tools belonging to the Epper &alaeolithic 'around ,-,--- to (-,--- years ago*, /esolithic 'less than ,-,--- years ago* bearing testimony to this fact. <he %halcolithic remains '(9---,--- )%* in the !icinity also indicates the continuity of human occupation in this region.

<he importance of Bllora during the early centuries of the %hristian era is also understood by the findings of coins of Sata!ahanas, the ruling dynasty during the period. <he Sata!ahanas had their capital at &ratishtana 'modern &aithan* and ruled the entire area between the 2rabian Sea and )ay of )engal and bordered by the Darmada #i!er on the north. Bllora being located on the ancient trade route connecting the western ports on the 2rabian sea like Sopara 'Surparaka, the Supara of +reekA Subara of 2rab writersA the ancient capital of northern 8onkan*, 8alyan a thri!ing portA %hemula, the Samylla of +reek geographers, %hemula of Silaharas, on the island of <rombay and the inland cities like &aithan '&ratishtana*, <er '<agara*, )hokardan ')hoga!ardhana* etc. <he fact that Sata!ahanas tra!ersed this region is attested by their inscriptions at Dasik ca!es and donor inscriptions of their times at &ital 8hora ca!es, located at a distance of K- km west of Bllora. Bllora is located directly on the ancient trade route which tra!ersed from &ratishtana !ia 2urangabad, Bllora, &ital 8hora, &atne, Dasika 'modern Dasik*. Dasik is at the crossroads of an ancient trade route connecting centres on the west to east and those on the north to south. <he location on the ancient trade route did not induce any acti!ities at Bllora during the Sata!ahana rule. )risk acti!ities were already on at nearby &ital 8hora, Dasik, 2?anta, etc., and this could ha!e been a di!ersion of the ancient builders to support any acti!ity here. Howe!er, as the multiplication of the religious establishments took place in e!ery nook and corner of /aharashtra, the ideal location of Bllora was una!oidable. <hus grew one of the largest ca!e exca!ations at Bllora, that too of three different religious creeds, !i@., )uddhism, )rahmanism and 3ainism. <he ca!es are datable from circa 4th - 5th century 2.7. to ,,th - ,(th century 2.7. n total, there are nearly ,-- ca!es in the hill range out of which :K ca!es are famous and !isited by many tourists, out of which %a!es , to ,( are )uddhistA %a!es ,: to (; are )rahmanical and %a!es :- to :K are 3aina. <wo more groups of ca!es are noticed on the Blaganga and on an upper terrace, namely, the +anesh 1eni and 3ogeshwari 1eni.

<hese religious establishments could ha!e recei!ed royal patronage from !arious dynasties, e!en though inscriptional e!idences are lacking for most of them. <he only definite inscriptional e!idence is that of #ashtrakuta 7antidurga 'c. 59:-95 2.7.* on the back wall of the front mandapa of %a!e ,9. <he +reat 8ailasa '%a!e ,4* is attributed to 8rishna 'c. 595-.: 2.7.*, the successor and uncle of 7antidurga. 2 copper plate grant from )aroda of the period of 8arka 'c. .,(-,: 2.7.* speaks about the greatness of this edifice. <he inscription tells us that this great edifice was built on a hill by 8rishnara?a at Blapura 'Bllora* and e!en the celestial beings mo!ing in the sky were struck by its magnificence, as though it was self-existent, not created by mortals, and, e!en the architect who caused it was wonder struck that he could build it. 2part from the abo!e two inscriptions, the entire ca!e complexes lack inscriptions of the nature found at other ca!e sites like that of 2?anta, Dasik, 8arle, 8anheri, etc. n the absence of concrete inscriptional e!idence, we can deduce the royal dynasties that could ha!e extended their patronage to the religious establishments. <he initiation of religious establishments at Bllora coincides with the departure of the tradition at 2?anta. t is well known that the exca!ations started here before the #ashtrakutas arri!ed on the scene and the %a!es , to ,- and %a!e (, '#ames!ara* were definitely constructed before them. <hese exca!ations are generally attributed to the 8alachuris of /ahismati, appeared to ha!e gained control of the region around Dasik and parts of ancient 2smaka 'region around 2urangabad* including )hoga!ardana 'modern )hokardan* and the %halukyas of )adami who held their sway in this region for a brief period before their feudatories, the #ashtrakutas took o!er. <he ma?ority of the )rahmanical establishments and the remaining )uddhist ones can be attributed to the #ashtrakuta times which indicate the religious tolerance of the contemporary period. <he 3aina ca!es definitely post-date the #ashtrakutas as indicated by the style of execution and fragmentary inscriptions. <his region was under the control of 8alyani %halukyas and Jada!as of 7eogiri '7aulatabad* during this period. <he patronage towards 3ainism under the Jada!as is also known by the findings of se!eral sculptures of 3aina faith from 7aulatabad. <hus, we ha!e the greatest religious conglomeration at a single place, signifying the religious tolerance and solidarity of different faiths. <he Bllora ca!es, unlike 2?anta, ha!e a distinction that they were ne!er lost to obli!ion, due to their close proximity to the trade route. <here ha!e been numerous written records to indicate that these ca!es were !isited regularly by enthused tra!ellers and royal personages as well. <he earliest is that of an 2rab geographer 2l-/as0udi of the ,-th century 2.7. n ,:9( 2.7. the approach roads to the ca!es were repaired on the ensuing !isit of Sultan Hasan +angu )ahmani, who also camped at the site and !isited the ca!es. <he other important accounts of these ca!es are by Firishta, <he!enot ',4::-45*, Diccolao /anucci ',49:-,5-.*, %harles Warre /alet ',5;K*, Seely ',.(K*. 7uring the ,;th century 2.7. these ca!es were owned by the Holkars of ndore who auctioned for the right of worship and leasing them for religious as well as a form of entrance fee. 2fter the Holkars, these ca!es passed into the control of Di@ams of Hyderabad, who through their 2rchaeology 7epartment carried out extensi!e repairs and maintenance of the ca!es under the guidance of 2rchaeological Sur!ey of ndia. <he ca!es are under the maintenance of the 2rchaeological Sur!ey of ndia after the reorganisation of states and the dominions of erstwhile Di@ams merged into the state of /aharashtra. 2 brief account on the architectural splendour and artistic expressions of !arious ca!es is gi!en here for enabling one to understand the real character and importance of this wonderful place. 2 tourist can plan the !isit of these ca!es according to the time a!ailable and depending upon the interest in ancient art. f a !isitor has at his disposal three to four hours, then the %a!e nos. ,- 'Vis!akarma %a!e*, ,4 '8ailasa*, (, '#ames!ara* and :( L :K '3aina group of ca!es* should not be missed. <hus, by !isiting these ca!es, one can ha!e a glimpse of the representati!e art of )uddhism, )rahmanism and 3ainism. f a !isitor has an entire day at his disposal, the %a!e nos. (, 9, ,- L ,( of the )uddhist groupA %a!e nos. ,K, ,9, ,4, (, L (; of the )rahmanical group and %a!es :( to :K of the 3aina

group should be !isited. <he ca!es are exca!ated in the scarp of a large plateau, running in a north-south direction for nearly ( km, the scarp being in the form of a semi-circle, the )uddhist group at the right arc on the south, while the 3aina group at the left arc on the north and the )rahmanical group at the centre.