Historical Geography of Ancient India c9.120

c9.120

Kanheri.—About 20 miles north of Bombay a big group of caves known as Kanheri is situated. For a considerable number of years these caves were occupied by the Buddhist monks. They are situated near Thānā. They have been excavated in a large bubble of a hill situated in the midst of a dense forest. The majority of these caves contain a small single room with a small verandah in front. The architecture may be dated as late as the 8th or 9th century A.D. To the north of these caves, there is a large excavation containing three dagobas and some sculptures. According to Fergusson, this cave temple is 86 ft. long and 39 ft. wide. It contains 34 pillars and a plain dagoba. There are two colossal figures of the Buddha and standing figures of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. There are many dwarf cells built one over the other. The cave No. 10 is the Durbar hall which is situated on the south side of the ravine. On the south side of the ravine there are several ranges of cells, excavated in the slope of the hill. There are some stone seats outside the caves. There is also a dagoba with an umbrella carved on the roof. It is difficult to fix the date of these caves, but it must be admitted that there has been much degradation of style between these caves and those at Karli. Some of the sculptures are surely of a much later date.