Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c24.17

c24.17

**Cave.** Next we have the *Guhā*, the crypt or cave, of which we have already referred to the various forms as explained by Buddhaghosha, according to whom it might be an artificial structure made of brick or wood, or an excavation out of a rock. The earliest historical examples of the latter form are the caves excavated by Asoka, and his grandson Daśaratha, in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills of Gaya and presented as free gifts to the rivals and opponents of the Buddhists, the Ājīvikas.