SHS Field Trip to Barabar, Nagarjuni and Kauwa-dol Hills: Epigraphy and Ancient Rock-Cut Architecture

November 19, 2022

A field visit to Barabar and Nagarjuni caves was undertaken for the benefit of the students of School of Historical Studies. Students were first led to the Barabar group of caves. They had field-lectures at the Karan Chaupar cave on the Mauryan Architecture, polish, and Later Gupta Inscription. The students were led to the Sudama caves and were explained the technological and architectural specificity of the cave, particularly the sound effect. The students were then led to the famous Lomas Rishi Caves where they were instructed on the architectural grandeur of the façade and the transmission of the ‘Gavaksha’ motif in South and South-East Asia from the Lomash Rishi cave. They were instructed on the donative inscriptions for Ajivika sect of Mauryan period, inscribed in Brahmi script at the Barabar caves.

Then the students were led to the Nagarjuni group of caves where they were informed about the architecture and inscriptions at these cave-monasteries. They were informed of Mauryan and later Gupta inscriptions, the landscape and resource mobilization of the medicant groups residing at these locations.

The group also visited the Kauwa-Dol Hill and historical site. They were first instructed about the reliefs and panels of Hindu and Buddhist deities at the Kauwadol hill. Then they were led to the unearthed Buddhist monastery-remains to the west, very recently excavated by the ASI They were instructed about the magnificent Buddha Image, currently housed at the shrine.