INDIAN HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The nearby caves of Nagarjuni hill were built few decades later than the Barabar caves, and consecrated by Dasaratha Maurya, Ashoka’s grandson and successor, each for the Ajivikas sect.

Detailed explanation-2: -Belonging to the Maurya period, these caves were dedicated to Ajivikas, a lost sect today. Three caves are located in the Nagarjuni hill in the name of Gopika, Vadathika, and Vapiyaka caves. Three out of four caves of Barabar Hill bear dedicatory inscriptions by 3rd Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

Detailed explanation-3: -Dasaratha-In the Nagarjuni hill, Asoka’s grandson, Dasaratha (232-224 BCE), had excavated three caves on the occasion of his accession to the throne at Magadha with each one bearing his edict. These three caves are known as the Gopika, Vadathi and Vapiya.

Detailed explanation-4: -There are three caves excavated in the Nagarjuna Hills-the Vadathi-ka-Kubha, the Vapiya-ka-Kubha, and the Gopi-ka-Kubha. It is an important archaeological site. Gopi (Gopi-ka-Kubha, milkmaid) is a cave reached by stepping up a flight of megalithic steps. It has got the largest chamber in the group.