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From the Chronicles

Elephanta: An outstanding architectural achievement

that Lord Shiva created the island of Elephanta as a sanctuary for meditation with his wife, Parvati.

Their peace was shattered by the demon Tripurasura, whose chaos spread across the world. To restore balance, Shiva unleashed his divine power, striking down the demon with his trident.

The resulting explosion carved a massive crater on the island—a natural formation that would later become the site of the Elephanta Caves.
Legend has it
History Speaks
The Elephanta Caves’ political history remains elusive, as no concrete evidence links them definitively to a particular dynasty.

Scholars, however, have drawn inferences based on sculptural styles and religious themes.

These stylistic cues suggest influences from various periods and rulers, painting a complex picture of patronage between 5th - 8th Cen. CE.
Many believe the caves were likely created under the Kalachuri or early Rashtrakuta dynasties, while others suggest connections with the Chalukyas or Mauryas of Konkan.

This interpretive approach allows us to glimpse the possible patrons and their cultural priorities, though the caves’ precise origins remain a fascinating mystery.
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Occupation and Buddhist Influence
The Elephanta Caves, located on Gharapuri Island, show evidence of human settlement dating back to the 2nd century BCE. Initially a stronghold of Theravada Buddhism, the island featured a large stupa and smaller stupas, marking its early Buddhist roots.

As part of the Mauryan Empire, as evidenced by the Ashokan Edict at Sopara (now a suburb of Mumbai), Maharashtra was an important stronghold for Buddhism in the Deccan.

Later under the Satavahana period( 100 BCE-200 CE), the region was a key Buddhist center in the Deccan, with nearby sites like Mahakali and Kanheri Caves reinforcing its significance.
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves, perched on Gharapuri Island, owe their name to a colossal elephant statue discovered by the Portuguese.

Captivated by the sculpture, they named the site 'Elefante,' a name that later evolved into 'Elephanta,' forever associating the island with its ancient rock-cut temples and mysterious legacy.

The Elephanta Caves, perched on Gharapuri Island, hold a rich legacy that started with a massive stone elephant.

When Portuguese explorers discovered this 4.5-meter-long, 2.4-meter-high statue, they were so captivated they named the site Elefante, later evolving into Elephanta, forever linking the island to its mysterious, ancient rock-cut temples.
In 1864, an attempt was made to move the iconic statue to England. A crane was brought in, watched by locals and English officers alike. As it lifted the elephant, the crane’s arm suddenly snapped, and the statue crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The fragments were salvaged, carefully reconstructed under the guidance of Sir George Birdwood(Curator,Victoria & Albert Museum of Bombay).

Today the reassembled elephant statue stands proudly in Mumbai’s Bhau Daji Lad Museum at Byculla, a bustling suburb of Mumbai. There, it continues to attract visitors, offering a glimpse into the historical grandeur that once greeted visitors to the Elephanta Caves.
Vandalism continues…
The island’s history is further marked by periods of occupation and conflict.

Numerous European travelers documented the vandalism during this period, reporting that the Portuguese used the sculpted panels for shooting practice, which disfigured many of the intricate carvings.

The lower sections of most panels were destroyed, and the faces of many sculptures were marred.

In 1540, Viceroy João de Castro removed a significant inscribed stone from the site, but it mysteriously disappeared, erasing a potential link to the caves’ origins and patrons.
Cannon Hills on the island still bear remnants of Portuguese outposts, reflecting Elephanta’s former strategic role in military and anti-piracy efforts.

When Mumbai's islands were ceded to the British in 1661 as part of Catherine of Braganza’s dowry to Charles II, Elephanta Island remained under Portuguese as their military outpost serving as a strategic location for anti-piracy and military activities.

The British took control of Elephanta in 1668, although the island was not formally part of the British territory of Mumbai until much later.
Pulakesin II, the 7th-century Chalukyan monarch, mentioned “Sripuri” in his Aihole inscription, describing it as “The Goddess of Fortune of the Western Sea” and noting a siege with “hundreds of ships.”

This reference suggests Chalukyan influence on Gharapuri, highlighting its economic prosperity and strategic significance during their reign.
The Chalukyan (6th-8thCen.CE)
The Kalachuri dynasty, particularly under King Krishnaraja in the 6th century CE, is believed to have influenced the establishment of the Elephanta Caves.

Numismatic evidence, inscriptions, and stylistic parallels with other Deccan temples, like Ajanta, support this.

A 1068 CE inscription on a copper vessel found in the Main Cave mentions “Sripuri,” suggesting continued habitation of the island, likely under the Silaharas.
The Kalachuri (6th-7thCen.CE)
Elephanta: The Cave of Shiva by Carmel Berkson (1999) immerses readers in the mystique of the Elephanta Caves through three engaging essays.

Wendy O'Flaherty interprets Shiva's myths depicted in the sculptures, George Michell reveals how the cave’s layout mirrors Shiva’s divine mountain, symbolizing the cosmos, and Berkson herself offers historical insights and stylistic analysis.
Her photographs, masterfully capturing light and shadow, reveal subtle and often humorous details in the carvings—inviting a fresh appreciation of Elephanta's artistry and spirituality.
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