HERITAGE TOURISM IN MAHARASHTRA

A STUDY OF AJANTA AND ELLORA CAVES

a research report by Mayank Pathak

roll no. 101, bttm 3rd sem
submitted to surjeet sir
dated 08/19/2018
 Acknowledgement

I would like to use this space to begin thanking all those who helped in the making of this
project report. It was only due to them that it became possible, and for their input I stand
forever grateful.

Firstly, I would like to thank Surjeet sir for his invaluable input and expertise throughout
the preparation of the project. It was only due to his kind assistance and guidance I was
able to develop the right mindset for the completion of the project.

I would like to thank my parents for their support during the making of the project, as
well as all my friends who were able to offer constructive criticism so I was better able to
rectify my mistakes and improve.

Lastly, I am in debt of various books and internet resources which helped me compile a
robust collection of facts and figures for the project. I have given the references for the
same at the end of the project.

Thank you for making this project a success. It is my sincere effort and hope that it serves
its purpose as much as it pleases the reader.

Truly,
Mayank

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Riding the ‘Rathi’ Back in Time

Before we begin with the study of Ajanta and Ellora caves, it holds essential to first dive
back into time and trace the origins of the glorious state of Maharashtra.

MAHARASHTRA.

The very name is believed to be originated from ‘rathi’, which means chariot

driver. Maharashtra entered the recorded history in the 2nd century BC, with the
construction of its first Buddhist caves.

The identity of Maharashtra came up during the Satvahana dynasty with 78 CE

considered the beginning point where Pratishthan was the richest city on the Deccan
Plateau. The history continues to the Rashtrakutas and Yadav dynasty till the fall of
Devgiri to Malik Amber. It is then merged with the Delhi Sultanate till the rise of
Bahamani Sultanate and its future fragmentation. It is interspersed by the presence of the
great Saints Dnyaneshwar and others of the Warkari movement. The dark ages of Islamic
rule from 14th to early 17th century is also well documented.

After over 1500 years of history, comes the greatest ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He
brought the Hindu and Marathi identity back to the land and has been the most
celebrated and revered personality. Shivaji Bhosle, the founder of the Maratha Empire,
did a lifelong struggle against the Mughals. By 1680, the year of Shivaji's death, nearly the
whole of Deccan belonged to his empire.

Sambhaji succeeded Shivaji, but he is not great as his father Shivaji. 1680 to 1707 is known
as the period of instability in the history of Maharashtra. Balaji Vishwanath (1712-1721),
Bajirao Peshwa (1721-1740), Nanasaheb Peshwa (1740-1761), 'Thorale' Madhaorao Peshwa
(1761-1772, Narayanrao Peshwa (1772-1773), 'Sawai' Madhaorao Peshwa (1774-1795) and
'Second' Bajirao Peshwa (1795- 1802) were the other important rulers of Maharashtra.

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The fall of Ahmednagar fort in 1803 marked the end of Indian rule and supremacy of
British in Deccan. In 1804, General Wellesly proclaimed the Deccan in a state of chaos,
established military rule and the Peshwas remained rulers for namesake.

The present state was formed in 1960 with Bombay as the capital, when the Marathi and
Gujarati linguistic areas of former Bombay state were separated. Maharashtra became the
main channel of cultural exchange between southern to northern India.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MAHARASHTRA

1. The Stream of education for Ladies and to all casts Started by Mahatma Fule and
Savitri Mai Fule, Pune, Maharashtra.

2. The writer of Sanvidhan and Sculptor of Modern India, Dr. Babasaheb

Ambedkar From Maharashtra.

3. Great Empire of Maratha Started in Maharashtra By Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

4. Reservation System in Kolhapur started by the king Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.

5. The Economical capital of India is Mumbai.

6. First Film (Indian) produced by Dadasaheb Falke, Maharashtra.

7. Bollywood Lies in Mumbai.

8. First Indian Navy Division started in /Ratnagiri/Mumbai by Great king Chhatrapati

Shivaji Maharaj

9. First Aeroplane Made and Theory by Mr. Talpade in Maharashtra

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The City of Dreams

It would criminal to begin this project and not mention about the city of dreams.

MUMBAI.

A home to more than 20 million people, is the city of dreams that every Indian wishes to
live in. Built on what was once a group of seven islands, it is one of the biggest cities in
India. Mumbai is the face of modernization in India where trends are born and fashion
gets its first touch. The name Mumbai previously known as Bombay, is derived from an
ancient goddess of the Koli community (a fishing community) called Mumba Devi and
Aai which means mother in Marathi.

The history of Mumbai goes back to as early as stone ages when it was just a place for
native fishing community. Back then, Mumbai was nothing but a collection of seven small
islands. The development from stone age to the present 'never sleeping city' is extremely
interesting and can be best understood by looking at the following five eras.

Era of Indian Rulers (600BC – 1348AD)

Mughal Era (1348-1535)

Portuguese Era (1535-1661)

British Era (1661-1947)

Post-Independence Era (1947-Present)

Today, Mumbai is known as the city that never sleeps! It has become one of the most
populous and dense cities of the world and has become the place where youngsters across
India aim to land and pursue and build their dream.

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Understanding Heritage Tourism

We now begin to further elaborate the concept of ‘Heritage Tourism’ as well as it’s literal
applications in the world of today. We shall then proceed to relate it with the project report
on the state of Maharashtra.

WHATS YOUR HERITAGE?

Since heritage is anything that is passed down the generation/s, it can be anything such
as monuments, objects, traditions or cultural practices. All of these types of heritage are
classified as either tangible (something that can be touched), or intangible (something
that can’t be touched). Heritage can also be classified as natural (inherited through
nature), and cultural (inherited through culture).

This is the general accepted idea of heritage. now India accepts the UNESCO’s idea of
heritage including the concept of Outstanding Universal Value. 

National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities considers built heritage as well as

antiquities as worthy of conservation.

In National Cultural Heritage Sites List, which is a criterion for recognition by the

Ministry of Culture, India, a “Cultural Heritage Site” shall include —

1. “Monuments”, that is to say, architectural works, works of art and painting,

elements or structures, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of features
which are of outstanding national value from the archaeological, cultural,
historical, aesthetic, anthropological, technological/scientific point of views.

2. “Buildings”, that is to say, separate or inter-connected buildings or large

complexes which, because of their architecture, homogeneity or place in the
landscape, are of outstanding national value.

3. “Sites”, that is to say, works of man (including industrial heritage) or the

combined works of nature and man and areas including archaeological sites which
are of outstanding universal value.

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 4. “Cultural Landscape” includes cultural properties (historic and traditional
settlements) representing ‘a living, dynamic manifestation of the harmonious co-
existence of cultural ideologies with its natural environment and setting.

5. “Cultural Routes” is composed of tangible elements of which the cultural

significance comes from exchanges and a multi-dimensional dialogue across states
or regions within India.

HERITAGE TOURISM IN MAHARASHTRA

 Monuments such as Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Chand

Minar, Bibi Ka Makbara etc.
 Forts such as Devagiri Daulatabad Fort, Shaniwar wada, Pratapgarh Fort,
Vijaydurg
 Caves of Ajanta, Ellora, Kondana, Lenyadri etc.
 Sites of industrial heritage such as Dutch factory at Vengurla, defunct
Cotton Mills of Mumbai etc.
 Railway heritage of Matheran (proposal to include in Mountain Railway
World Heritage Site), Shakuntala Railway.
 Historic cities such as Aurangabad, Solapur, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nashik,
Vasai-Virar and many more.
 Cultural Landscape of Nashik, Shirdi.
 Traditional crafts such as Chappal making of Kolhapur, Paithani Sari
weaving, luxury fabric of Mashru and Himroo, Lacquer ware of Sawantwadi,
Warli paintings.
 Natural Heritage Sites of Western Ghats.
 Artefacts in various museums of the state
 Remains excavated from various sites such as Daimabad, Prakash etc.
 State Archives such as Shivaji’s letters, Journals from British Period,
Newspapers from independence struggle etc.

Please note that the list is non-exhaustive.

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A Small Gallery: Heritage in Maharashtra

Below are some snippets of the rich heritage of Maharashtra.

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Harisena’s Masterpiece: Ajanta Caves

But who is Harisena?

HARISENA.

Harisena is the man behind most of the caves that make up the wonderful complex of
Ajanta. Hailed as the nest example of Buddhist art in the world, the Ajanta caves and
their incredibly beautiful frescoes are a living example of what community effort can
achieve. Although the complex at Ajanta is more than 2200 years old, most of the caves
(except the oldest) were commissioned by Vakataka ruler Harisena.

According to Ajanta – logist and historian Walter Spink, Harisena is the power and
catalyst behind some of the best caves in the Ajanta complex including Cave 16. In less
than two decades (Harisena came to power in 460 AD and suddenly died in December 31,
477 AD), the king and his ministers patronized the commissioning of 25 out of the total
30 caves in the complex. Which means two-thirds of the spectacular craftsmanship and
artistry that still dazzles us at Ajanta was commissioned and completed in a sudden burst
of creativity from 460-480.

That’s a remarkable feat given that the Ajanta caves are in the Buddhist tradition where
artisans and monks used chisels to chip away at the sheer rock face and carve out t h e
chaityas and viaharas out of the mountainside. After which the walls were prepared and
decorated with the fresco paintings. Yet, unlike other, more celebrated royal patrons in
history, Harisena is totally forgotten.

In cave after cave at Ajanta, Harisena and his chief minister Varahadeva are immortalized.
And one of most well-loved epics of the age, a kind of ancient best-seller, Dandin’s
Visrutacarita, chronicles the details of how the great Harisena’s dynasty scattered and
died out in just a few years after his death. Both Dandin and the caves at Ajanta are
formidable. They have managed to survive the clutter and chaos of history over 1500
years. Harisena is a curious case of the campaign eclipsing the brand itself. Today, a
millennium and a half later, what endures are the images of devotion painted on the walls
of the Ajanta caves

That’s why Ajanta has retained its magic. In business as in life, defying history can be a
tricky affair. That’s the moral behind the parable of King Harisena.

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Carved to Reality: Inside Ajanta Caves

The first caves were carved from the bare rock at the time of The Satavahana Empire
which started around 230BC. They brought peace to India after several foreign invasions
and the decline of the previous Mauryan Empire. Not without irony, they were
rediscovered by a contemporary invader and representative of a foreign empire.

Although there is widespread debate about the time at which the second period of
building took place most now agree that it was probably during the reign of Harishena,
from 460AD and over a period of around twenty years. This architectural flowering saw
the creation of twenty temples which were used as monasteries.

WHATS INSIDE?

There are paintings everywhere – literally. Every surface apart from the door is festooned
with narrative paintings. Time has taken a serious toll on these marvelous works with
many parts simply just fragments of what they were when 8rst created. The stories are
almost wholly devoted to Jatakas – tales of the Buddha’s previous lives. These 547 poems
were painstakingly and lovingly painted on to the walls by devotees. They were created
using an ancient method.

The surface was chiseled so it was rough and could hold plaster which was then spread
across the surface. Then the master painter would, while the plaster was still wet,
commence his work. The colors soaked in to the plaster and so became a part of the
surface. Although this meant that it would not peel off as easily, perhaps not even the
painters foresaw the temples persevering for over two thousand years.

No one knows for sure when and why the caves were abandoned – whether it was a
gradual desertion of some event of political and social magnitude took place which
precipitated the neglect of the site. Yet for hundreds of years the place remained forsaken,
to be rediscovered that fateful day in 1819 by John Smith.

Ajanta Cave is also declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

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A Romance of Religions: Ellora Caves
Who knew an interesting love triangle of religions could exist in ancient lost caves of India?

The Ellora Caves were dug out between the 6th and 11th centuries. They are located 18
miles (30km) northwest of Aurangabad city, in Maharashtra, India.

Ellora also known as Elura or Elapura is an archaeological site with 34 caves, which unlike
the Ajanta cave temples, are excavated in the sloping sides of the Charanandri hills and
not in a perpendicular cliff. These consist of 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves, built
in close proximity in the time frame starting from the 5th century CE to the 10th century
CE during the rule of the Kalachuri, Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties.

THE BUDDHIST TEMPLES

It has been claimed that these were excavated between 350 to 700 CE, during which there
was a flourishing of the Buddhist Mahayana sects in the region.

THE BRAHMANICAL HINDU TEMPLES

The Kalachuri empire sponsored the early caves in the 6th century.
The Kailasha temple was commissioned and completed between 757-783 CE, when
Krishna I (757-773 CE) from the Rashtrakuta dynasty (783-982 CE) ruled the region. A
classic example of Dravidian architecture.
The Dashavatara (Cave 15) was begun as a Buddhist monastery, but was later completed
as a temple with an open court depicting images of the ten forms of Lord Vishnu. An
inscription of grant of Dantidurga II (735-756 CE) is found on the back wall of the front
mandapa.
A copper plate grant by Karka II (812-813 CE) narrates that a great edifice was built on a
hill by Krishnaraja at Elapura (Ellora).

THE JAIN TEMPLES

In the final group of five Jain caves that belong to the Digambara sect, the most
interesting are the Indra Sabha Jagannath Sabha dating back to the 9th and 10th
centuries. 
The Jagannath Sabha has 3 inscriptions that give the names of monks and donors. On the

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top of the hill in which the Jain caves are excavated is a statue and temple of Lord
Parasnath. This has an 11th-century inscription that gives the name of the donor from
Vardhanapura.
 

There is speculation that many pieces were planned keeping in mind that a few
generations would work together to complete the design. 

A TOUR INSIDE THE ELLORA CAVES

The complex runs in a north to south direction for 1.2 miles (2km). At the southern end
are 12 Buddhist caves and at the north, six Jain caves, with 17 Brahmanical caves in-
between. The Buddhist caves are the earliest and number 12 – where the sample was
taken from – is a three-story building with indistinguishable traces of paintings on the
ceilings and walls of the inner shrine.

The designs painted on the wall and ceilings represent floral and creeper patterns and
other geometric shapes.

Cave 16, known as the Kailasa temple, is considered one of the most remarkable cave
temples in India because of its size, architecture and sculptural treatment. It is dedicated
to Shiva, and also contains smaller shrines to other Hindu gods.

The structure looks like a freestanding, multistoried temple complex, but it was carved
out of one single rock, and covers an area double the size of Parthenon in Athens. The
construction of the temple is popularly attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I who
ruled between 756 and 773.

In 1983, the collection of caves was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Depth of Difference: A comparison between

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Lastly, we reach the final stages of the product. In this page, we shall compare both the
given caves in the study in depth according to various parameters like architecture and
history. Although similar and near geographically, on closer look a learned mind might find

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the little differences which make all the difference, and what good report leaves things
incomplete?

PERIOD OF CONSTRUCTION
The Ajanta caves date from 200 BCE to about 680 CE. These were built in two phases of
time periods: the early Buddhist Hinayana phase (100 BCE-100 CE) and the later
Mahayana phase (460-680 CE). 
In comparison, the Ellora caves are younger, built between the 5th and the 10th century
CE. Among these the Buddhist caves are the oldest (5th to 7th century), followed by the
Hindu caves (6th to 8th century CE) and the Jain caves (6th to 10th century CE).

LOCATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE COMPLEX

The Ajanta caves are situated at a site 104 km from the city of Aurangabad. These are laid
in the scarped side of the amygdaloid trap rock, in the shape of a great crescent/arc cut by
the curving course of the Waghora river. 
The Ellora caves also called Verul, Elapura or Elura are at the archaeological site 29 km
northwest of Aurangabad city. These are spread across a distance of 2kms and in no
particular formation

The two sites are 98 kilometers away from each other.

PATRONS AND SPONSORS

The Ajanta caves were sponsored by various dynasties and donors but the majority of the
donations came from the Satvahana dynasty in the Hinayana phase and the Vakataka
dynasty in the Mahayana phase.
The Ellora caves were primarily built under the rule of the Kalachuri, the Chalukya and
the Rashtrakuta dynasties.

ARCHITECTURE
Rock-cut architecture reached a high degree of perfection in the region as Western Ghats
provided suitable sites for excavation and carving. However, this is a marked difference in
the style of architecture in the two cave complexes.
The Ajanta caves have been excavated out of the basalt cliff by penetrating into the
perpendicular rocky face. Thus, these caves only house Viharas and Chaitya halls. Also,
these are famous for the murals and paintings which have stood the test of time.
The Ellora Caves are unique because the visitor can see three styles of architecture at one
place, 12 Buddhist, 17 Brahmanical and 5 Jain caves being located here side by side. Unlike

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the Ajanta cave temples, they are excavated in the sloping sides of a hill and not in a
perpendicular cliff. These have Viharas, Chaitya halls, temples and edifices.

DISCOVERY
The Ajanta caves were discovered in 1819, by John Smith, who was a British officer of the
28th Cavalry for the Madras Presidency. This was a serendipitous discovery during a
hunting expedition in the forests. The first cave discovered under the undergrowth was
Cave 10 and subsequently the others.
In contrast, the Ellora caves were never “lost”. There are several written records and
documentations that show the caves were regularly visited. The 10th century Arab
geographer Al-Mas’udi has left accounts of these cave temples in his writings. In 1352 CE
Sultan Hasan Gangu Bahmani (the founder of the Bahmani Sultanate) camped at the site
and described the caves in his travelogues. French traveler Jean de Thévenot wrote about
his Ellora visit in 1667.
 
The differences aside, both cave complexes are a monumental example of the artistic and
architectural expertise of their times. 

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Cannabis & Caves: An Interesting Study

It is a well-known fact that artists often turn to drugs for inspiration, but how does this
relate with Ajanta and Ellora Caves? An interesting observation seems fit for the ending of
the study and to inculcate curiosity among the readers.

One might be interested to know that a mixture of hemp, clay and lime plaster is
responsible for preserving paintings and intricately carved scenes in the sacred Ellora
Caves, which were hewn from rock 1,500 years ago.

WHY CANNABIS?

This is because it regulates humidity and deters pesky insects, which have attacked older
nearby artworks at the Ajanta Caves, which were built in the second century BC and lack
cannabis fibers.

‘The use of hemp helped the caves and most of the paintings remain intact at the 6th
century UNESCO World Heritage site,’ according to the study by Rajdeo Singh of the
Archaeological Survey of India’s science branch and M Sardesai of Dr Babasaheb
Ambedkar Marathwada University.

The duo collected a sample of plaster from Cave 12 of the complex and isolated cannabis
sativa, or ganja, before examining it under a scanning electron microscope, according to
the study, published in the journal Current Science

Other techniques, such as Fouriter transform infrared spectroscopy, confirmed the

presence of c. sativa in the building material. Dr Singh told the Times of India: ‘In the
sample collected from the Ellora cave, we found 10 per cent share of cannabis sativa in the
mix of mud or clay plaster. This is the reason why no insect activity is found at Ellora.

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REFERENCES

It is my duty to list the references without which the creation of the project would not be
possible. I hold no rights to the content; all the content and copyrights are property
of their respective owners. The material of the project is used for educational
purposes only.

Given below is the list of references I have utilized in the making of this project. Please note
they are in no particular order and degree of content utilized may vary.

https://www.quora.com/Why-did-Maharashtras-history-start-with-King-Shivaji-and-ends-up-
with-death-of-Shivaji-Has-Maharashtra-forgotten-their-ancient-kings-and-achievements-Or-has-
Maharashtra-lost-their-ancient-history

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-major-differences-between-the-Ajanta-and-Ellora-caves

https://www.quora.com/What-comes-under-Maharashtra-heritage-other-than-monuments

https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/history/king-harisena-mastermind-behind-ajanta/

https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/travel/caves-of-ajanta/

Works of Walter Spink (Harvard Researcher) "Ajanta: History and Development Volume 5, Cave
by Cave"

https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/india/cannabis-weed-bhang-preserved-ancient-indian-
artwork-sacred-ellora-caves-1500-years/

https://www.quora.com/What-should-everyone-know-about-the-history-of-Mumbai

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-interesting-facts-about-maharashtra

Thank you.

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