Ajanta Caves History : A Walk Into the Past of Rock-Cut Caves

The Ajanta Caves, a horseshoe-shaped collection of rock-cut cave temples stands around the Wangorah River in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. Discovered by chance in 1819 by a British officer, the Ajanta Caves have since then been in the archaeological and historical limelight of the country. Many experts have studied and researched the caves. The magnificent sculptures, perfectly placed layouts and paintings are fraught with Buddhist ideologies and beliefs. The lifestyle of the monks and the detailing of the life of Buddha and Buddhist tales is an integral part of the Ajanta Caves. There are a total of 30 caves, and each has been numbered. The numbering is however not in a chronology, and certain caves that were discovered later, such as 15A have been assigned a suffix.

The history of the caves is rather interesting. The caves have been built in a set of two phases centuries from each other. The first set belongs to the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE, whereas, the second set of the caves were built in the 5th century.

First Period Caves (Satavahana) - Caves 9, 10, 12, 13 & 15A

Caves no. 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A were the earliest constructed caves. Most scholars and researchers agree that the caves show a heavy influence of the Hinayana or Theravada group of Buddhism. There is a debate regarding the precise time of construction. A group of researchers including Walter Spink estimate the period of construction to around 100 BCE to 100 CE. This group believes that the caves were built under the patronage of the Satavahana Dynasty. Other studies, however, date the period of construction during the reign of the Mauryan Empire.

The main distinguishing feature of the caves of the earlier period is their emphasis on the stupa structure rather than sculptures. Both caves 9 and 10 are stupa based with the worship hall and caves 12, 13 and 15A are based on the vihara (where monks reside) style of construction. Also, the Hinayana phase in Buddhism did not worship Buddha as a Hindu God. According to some records, Buddha himself forbade the painting and sculpting of his images. However, this changed in the later centuries as the Mahayana phase of Buddhism began. This school was heavily influenced by the Hindu way of worship and monks to spread the message and teachings of Buddhism resorted manifesting Buddha, his life and tales into visual representations. This is evident in the caves of the later periods.

Second Period Caves (Vakataka) - Caves 1-8, 11, 14-29

Also known as the caves from the Vakataka period there is some discrepancy over the exact time of construction. For many years it was thought that the caves were built between the 4th and 7th centuries; however, studies by Walter Spink suggest that the period of construction was, in fact, concise and lasted from 460 to 480 CE. His views and studies have been broadly accepted today.
Emperor Harishena from the Vakataka dynasty is believed to be the chief patron of the second period of caves. Caves that fall under this period are no. 1-8, 11, 14-29. These set of caves fall under the Mahayana phase of Buddhism and hence are home to stunning sculptures and paintings. The paintings and sculptures became a source of worship. This phase also started accepting women as nuns, and unlike the Hinayana school which denied pleasure, the Mahayana form was open to the desires between a man and woman. The paintings, sculptures and artworks reflect these influences.

Cave 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya Grihas or the prayer halls. The rest of the caves are viharas or abodes for monks.
Interestingly, not all Caves are complete. According to research, the incomplete caves were abandoned after the death of Harishena. Though there is evidence that the caves were in use, most probably by the monks who resided there, their numbers might have dwindled over time.

According to Spink, the first period caves were left abandoned for more than three centuries before the rule of Harishena. The king along with his Prime Minister Varahadeva and sub-king Upendragupta commissioned the digging of the new caves. The excavation was stopped around 468 because of threats from the Asmaka kings and work continued only in Cave 1 which was commissioned by Harishena and Cave 17-20 that were under Upendragupta. By 472 however, all work stopped as the Asmaka kings took over the territory. Though work started again, it was stopped again at the death of Harishena in 477.

Only Cave 26 continued to be under construction because the Asmaka kings commissioned it. From 478-480, no new caves were built, but a lot was added to the already existing ones. These changes were minor additions, such as adding statues and smaller shrines and were seen primarily on the façade, walls of the inside caves and the returning sides of the entrance. Spink’s chronology was based on the dating of the nearby caves, style of the arts, the chronology of the dynasties and the many incomplete features of the caves. Other historical references of the Ajanta Caves are found in the Chinese traveller Xuanzang’s records, as well as in Ain-i-Akbari a 17th-century account by Abu Fazal.

Post-Discovery

In 1819, John Smith happened to chance upon the caves during a hunting expedition. He discovered cave no. 10; however, the locals were aware of their existence. Within a few years from his discovery, the caves became famous for their location; rock cut arts and magnificent architecture.
During the British Era, the Ajanta Caves were under the princely state of Hyderabad. Post-independence the government of Maharashtra built better infrastructural facilities to enhance tourism and researches. Today the Ajanta Caves have a Visitor Center with modern amenities, and the ASI runs buses from the centre to the site of the caves.

Paintings and Frescoes

The paintings of the Ajanta Caves were a fascinating part of the caves. Some paintings date to the Satvahana period and some also to the Gupta period and later. The frescos in the Ajanta Caves are painted with elaborate distinguishing features.