Rock Cut Sanctuaries (Caves)

Introduction

Rock-cut architecture for the first time appeared in Persia where the earliest known rock-cut architecture includes the tombs at Beni Hasan, which dates to a period between c.2000 to 1900 BCE, The tombs are cut into rock cliffs and provided with sheltering porticoes, These tombs were constructed for minor nobles and court officials, who evidently enjoyed considerable influence and wealth, reflecting the political importance of their builders (Moffett et al, 2003: 135), The said architecture is the practice of creating structures such as temples (India), tombs (Petra, Jordan), dwellings (Cappuccino, Turkey) (Rapp, 2009:251), Mosques (Fars, Iran) (Ball, 1986: 103) and Churches (Italy) (Frothing ham, 1989: 320) by carving the rock formation in situ. Rock-cut architecture goes back at least to the temple of Rameses at Abu Simbel. The Etruscans created rock-cut tombs: the Nabataea's at Petra carved massive temples and tombs in sandstone cliffs from 100 BCE to |50 CE. Buddhist monks in India carved multi-story monastic spaces beginning in the 3rd to 2nd century BCE, In Cappuccino, extensive rock-cut houses and churches were built prior to the fifth century CE, Rock-cut architecture in India is more abundant and more varied than in any other place in the world, The structural qualities of' stone are of' great importance to the durability and utilization of building stone, These include qualities such as compressive strength, tensile strength, resistance to shear nd plasticity, The ability for structures to span openings and achieve vertical heights is limited by these structural qualities of the building masonry (Rapp, 2009:251).

                                                          Rock cut cave , Khoi Ratta

Rock-cut architecture

Rock-cut architecture has been practiced in many regions of the world in the past, but in none of the instances did the art of the rock-cutter show so wide a range or such audacity and Imaginative power as in India (Brown, 1942: 24), Excavation began on a large scale in the early 2nd century BCE in west India and continued significantly for about six centuries with the last known excavation in Rajasthan about 800 CE. 

Although the principle idea was to create spaces for monks to meditate undisturbed most of these monasteries are found quite close to main trade routes (buddhamind.info), The tradition of rock-cut architecture, which, from the 2nd century BCE on to the end of Its millennium CE, was to become so characteristic a feature of Indian architecture, has its roots in the Mauryan period. Caves were the traditional abode of ascetics across many religions (Palmer, 2009: 140), In India the term "cave" is often applied in reference to rock-cut architecture but must be distinguished from a naturally occurring cave, as rock-cut architecture is a highly engineered and elaborately decorated structure. There are more than I500 rock-cut temples in India, most of which are religious in nature, adorned with decorative paintings and exquisite stone carvings reflecting a very high level of craftsmanship.

In India, caves have long been regarded as sacred spaces and were enlarged or entirely man-made for use as temples and monasteries by Buddhist monks and ascetics (Boundless, 2013: 568-9). The archaeological evidence suggests that, in the pre-Mauryan period, Indian architects worked in wood but during the Mauryan period they started experimenting with rock-cut architecture. The rock-cut architecture with stupa architecture is also started with the Mauryan. Perhaps the Its example is the small cave known as Son Bandar at Rajbir. This traditionally marks the site of first Buddhist council, and therefore may belong to Pre-Maryann period. 

It consists of an oblong chamber with a crudely vaulted roof and square undecorated doorway. The fact that the cave contains the later Brahmi inscription is not significant, many other early and well dated caves also contain later inscription (Allchin, 1995: 247). Buddhist rock-cut temples and monasteries were often located near trade routes, and these spaces became stopovers and lodging houses for traders. As their endowments grew, the interior of rock-cut temples became more and more elaborate and decorated. While many temples, monasteries and stupas have been destroyed, cave temples are better preserved due to their hidden locations and the fact that they are constructed from stone, a far more durable material than wood clay or metal (Boundless,20 13.:570). 

A large number of rock-cut cave temples were found at several places such as Udayagiri, Ellora, Nasik and Karle. These caves were of solid rocks and divided into two parts, Viharas (monasteries), the residences of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis and the Chaitya is a hall of worship (Sager, 2012: 108). Besides these. the Ajanta caves are considered masterpieces of Buddhist architecture, situated near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The caves span six centuries, beginning in the 1st century BCE, and contained living and sleeping quarters, kitchens, monastic spaces, shrines, and stupas (Boundless, 2013: 569-71), A great deal of decorative sculptures, intricately carved columns, and reliefs, including cornices and pilaster are found here (Boundless, 2013: 569-71). There is an imposing stupa having a standing image of Buddha (Sager, 2012: 108). 

A notable trait of the rock-cut architecture is the crafting of rock to imitate timbered and carved wood. The Ajanta caves are home to some very early and still preserved wall paintings that decorate the walls and ceiling and date from the 2nd century BCE. Executed using tempera technique on smooth surfaces and prepared by the application of plaster. These paintings were made during Gupta period. The themes of the paintings are Buddhist and gracefully illustrate the major events of Buddha's life, the Jataka tales and the various divinities of the Buddhist pantheon (Boundless, 2013: 569-71).