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Ancient Names vs. Modern Identity: Unlocking the Secrets of Barabar and Nagarjuni Caves
Did you know Barabar Hills was originally named Khalatika Parvata? Uncover the 2,300-year-old ancient names of the Barabar & Nagarjuni Caves and plan your heritage getaway with BAECB HILL’S.
PURUSHOTTAM PRAKASH
9/28/20262 min read
When travellers walk through the rugged granite terrain of Jehanabad, Bihar, they enter a site known globally as the Barabar Caves and Nagarjuni Caves. But over two millennia ago, during the reign of the Mauryan Empire, these rock-cut chambers and the hills housing them bore very different names recorded in ancient Brahmi inscriptions.
Understanding the shift from their ancient titles to their present-day names reveals a fascinating narrative of Emperor Ashoka, his grandson King Dasharatha, the Ajivika ascetics, and the historical evolution of Bihar.
The Ancient Names of the Hills
Before individual chambers were excavated, the hill ranges themselves were recorded in ancient inscriptions:
Barabar Hills (Ancient Name: Khalatika Parvata)
In the 3rd century BCE, the granite ridge now called Barabar was officially inscribed as Khalatika Parvata (खलतिक पर्वत). The name appears directly in the Brahmi royal decrees carved onto the entrance walls of the caves.
Nagarjuni Hills (Ancient Name: Gopika Parvata)
Located just 1.6 km east of Barabar, the adjacent hills were historically known as Gopika Parvata. Over centuries, the ridge became associated with traditions surrounding the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, giving rise to its modern name.
Barabar Group: Ancient Names Inscribed in Granite
The Barabar group consists of four main rock-cut caves. Ancient Brahmi inscriptions reveal that Emperor Ashoka dedicated three of these chambers to the Ajivika sect, an ancient non-Vedic ascetic tradition contemporary with early Buddhism and Jainism.
1. Sudama Cave (Ancient Name: Nigoha Kubha)
Ancient Name: Nigoha Kubha (meaning "Banyan Tree Cave").
Historical Context: Dedicated by Emperor Ashoka in his 12th regnal year (c. 257 BCE). It features two vaulted chambers with the famed mirror-like Mauryan polish.
2. Visva Jhopri Cave (Ancient Name: Khalatika Parvata Kubha)
Ancient Name: Khalatika Parvata Kubha (the cave of the Khalatika Mountain).
Historical Context: Also dedicated by Ashoka in 257 BCE, consisting of an outer porch and an inner sanctuary, though left partially incomplete.
3. Karan Chaupar Cave (Ancient Name: Supiya Kubha)
Ancient Name: Supiya Kubha.
Historical Context: Inscribed in Ashoka's 19th regnal year (c. 245 BCE). It consists of a single rectangular room with a barrel-vaulted roof and high-gloss polish.
4. Lomas Rishi Cave (Later Name: Anantavarman Cave)
Ancient Name: Lacks an Ashokan inscription, but a 5th-century CE inscription mentions King Anantavarman of the Maukhari dynasty.
Historical Context: Renowned worldwide for its hand-carved entrance façade featuring a horseshoe-shaped chaitya arch and elephants worshipping stupas.
Nagarjuni Group: The Legacy of King Dasharatha
The Nagarjuni Hills house three distinct caves, all excavated around 232 BCE under the patronage of King Dasharatha, the grandson of Ashoka.
Gopi Cave (Ancient Name: Gopika Kubha) — The largest cave in the Nagarjuni group, featuring a vaulted ceiling and polished granite surfaces.
Vadathika Cave (Ancient Name: Vadathika Kubha) — Located in a narrow crevice, carved specifically as a secluded retreat for Ajivika monks.
Vapiyaka Cave (Ancient Name: Vapiyaka Kubha) — Derived from Vapi (meaning "well"), referencing a nearby ancient water structure.
Experience History Alive at BAECB HILL'S
Stepping into these caves is not merely sightseeing—it is reading 2,200-year-old stone records in their original setting.
At BAECB HILL’S – Barabar Eco Camp™, visitors can combine guided historical walks through Khalatika Parvata with eco-friendly stays, night trekking in the Nagarjuni Hills, and traditional Bihari hospitality.
Plan Your Visit: baecbhills.in
Location: Foothills of Barabar–Nagarjuni Hills, Jehanabad, Bihar
