The Traikutaka Phase of Kanheri's Buddhist Cave Excavation

This study focuses upon the second phase of cave excavation at Kanheri, a Buddhist site near Bombay. Established as a monastic center about two thousand years ago, Kanheri has more than one hundred caves, nineteen of which can be associated with the fifth-sixth century rule of the Traikutaka Dynasty. The principal question addressed by this study is the extent to which second-phase caves as a group can be dated by a Traikutaka-related copper plate of A.D. 494/5 which was found at the site. A substantial part of the study is taken up with a description and analysis of second-phase undertakings with regard to such matters as location, cave plan and treatment of architectural details and imagery. In addition, a comparative framework consisting of "datable" caves elsewhere in India is outlined. The evidence of the relative chronology obtained for Kanheri's second-phase is weighed against the more absolutely-determined chronology of the comparative framework, as well as trends observed in the history of the Traikutakas. The investigation reveals that Kanheri's second-phase consists of two periods of excavation, the first rather brief in duration and the second having three linked stages of development. The relationship of second-phase cave features with those of caves elsewhere suggests a period of development covering perhaps three-quarters of a century, that is, a period beginning before and extending beyond A.D. 494/5. In this respect, it is proposed that Kanheri's second-phase of excavation began c. A.D. 455 and ended c. A.D. 520/34, in concert with the demonstration of Traikutaka strength in Western India.