Which is the Oldest Cave in India? Know About It

India is a land of rich history and ancient wonders, with many hidden treasures that date back thousands of years. Among these are some of the oldest caves, which provide a glimpse into the lives of early humans. These caves hold prehistoric paintings, carvings and evidence of early settlements. They are important for understanding human history, art and culture. Let’s explore the oldest cave in India.

Oldest Cave in India

The Barabar Caves in Bihar are India’s oldest rock-cut caves, created during the Maurya period between 322 BCE and 185 BCE. These caves are known for their shiny, polished interiors, echoing sound, and simple yet special designs. Emperor Ashoka built them for the Ajivika sect, a non-Vedic religious community.

Location of the Barabar Caves

The Barabar Caves are in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district, Bihar. They are situated on two hills named Barabar and Nagarjuni. The caves are in a rocky area and are surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.

Features of the Barabar Caves

The Barabar Caves are carved from hard granite rock. The interiors of the caves are polishes, giving them a smooth and shiny surface. One special feature  of these caves is the echo effect- when someone speaks inside, the sound bounces off the walls and repeats.

Inside the caves, there are sculptures of different religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. This shows that the caves were used by people from different faiths.

The Oldest Cave

Among all the caves in Barabar, the Lomas Rishi Cave is the oldest. Its entrance has a special design called a Chaitya Arch. This design was later used in the famous Ajanta and Kanheri caves, which were built much later.

History of the Barabar Caves

The Barabar Caves were built during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. He built these caves for the Ajivika sect, a religious group did not follow the Vedic traditions of Hinduism. The Ajivikas believed in fate and destiny and did not perform rituals like Hindus.

Barabar Caves in Literature

The Barabar Caves became famous worldwide after being mentioned in the novel A Passage to India by E.M. Forster. This book, written in 1924, describes an important event happening in a cave similar to the Barabar Caves.