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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India
282 Epigraphic references
Four copper plate grants of Rashtrakuta king Govinda III, dated to CE 803, 807, 809 and 812 record the donation of some village or land to one Rishiyappabhatta of kaśyapa gotra, who was the resident of 'Dharashiva' (Deo 1984b: 173, 290, 321, 345). The town has been identified with present Dharashiva (Deo 1987: 2).
Literary references
More direct references to the caves come from a Sanskrit text 'Brihadakathākośa' and an Apabramsha text 'Karakanda cariu'. The latter text is dated to around middle of the 11th century (Mirashi 1971: 41), while the former was composed in 931-32 CE (Upadhye 1943: intro. 122). As pointed out in the second chapter, more or less similar account of the caves is found in both the texts, where they are referred to in the context of the exploits of the legendary saint-king Karakanda. King Karakanda, on the way to Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms visited the caves, discovered an icon of Parávanātha in an anthill and installed it in the cave and excavated two more caves after worshipping the already existing icons. From the description of the caves in these two texts, it is clear that by the 10th century, these caves were forgotten and were known only to the local people. A legend of mysterious and divine origin had already grown around the caves. However, as the texts inform us, the site was 'revived' and Karakanda excavated two more caves. Though the architectural evidence testifies against this statement, as all the caves are more or less contemporary, dated to around early 6th century, a number of loose icons might have been installed in this period.
One more reference to the site is found in a much later Jaina Marathi text, Jambusvämi charitra', where Dharashiva is mentioned as 'tirtha' with the main icon of * Aggaladev in jalakunda' or water cistern (Akkole 1968: 192-193). Obviously, it refers to the loose icon of Parsvanātha, kept in the room with water cistern in Cave II. Thus, it is clear that the site was known in the late 17th century CE and was considered a Jaina tirtha. During this period some repairs were made to the already existing icons and some new icons were commenced. Some time after this date the site must have fallen in disuse as when Burgess visited the site in the late 19th century, the caves were filled with earth. Even today, the site is not in worship and is rarely visited by the Jainas.
Proximity to Ter
The site was an important centre, mainly due to its strategic location and proximity to the flourishing town of Ter. It is very well known that Tagarapura, identified with Ter on the banks of the Terna river, 18 km northeast of Dharashiva, was an important city in ancient times. It played an important role in the trade of early historic period because of its location on the trade route and continued to be a significant town till about the 17th-18th century CE as attested by the excavation carried out at the site (Deo 1987) The Shilaharas called themselves Tagaapurävardhisavara' (Deo 1987: 3). In the early centuries of the Common Era, the town was an important centre of Hinayāna Buddhism (Deo 1987: 10). There are a few 7th century Brahmanical temples and two Jaina temples, dated to the 14th
