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Site: Location and Importance
301 There are no epigraphic or literary references to the site. Two inscriptions have come to light from the site. Of these, one was very fragmentary and has disappeared now (Cousens 1931: 49). The other inscription, on the base of the main icon in the shrine of the cave, though provides some information about the Jaina sect, does not throw much light on the historical importance and background of the site. There are not many architectural remains around the site, which would indicate nature and significance of the
site.
Only one factor appears to have worked in the selection of the site and that is the location of the site along an important route that commanded control over some passes like Sherghat and Thalghat. The routes from Sanjan to Nasik and Thane to Kolhapur passed through this region (Maurya 1998: 122). There is a fort on the top of the hill, which formed part of the Tryambakesvara cluster that provided cover to upper Konkan (Naravane 1995: 69). Although the fort as it exists today was built during Muslim period, it is clear that the region was important from earliest times due to its location.
VASE
The Jaina cave at Vase also dates from the same period as Tringalwadi. As is the case with the latter, no epigraphic or literary references to the site are noticed and there are no other architectural remains in the village. Most probably this small and crudely cut cave was excavated to fulfil the needs of some local Jaina population.
DAULATABAD
The Jaina cave at this famous capital of the Yadavas with a most magnificent fort of the region dates from late 12th century CE. There are a number of epigraphic and literary references to the site, though none of them directly mention the cave. Apart from these references, the wealth of architectural remains and the ruins of a large township at the site point at the significance of the site (Mate and Pathy 1992).
Before it became the capital of the Yadava dynasty, this town had already developed into a religious centre during the 10th 11th centuries CE. It had a number of kundas and about twelve to fourteen temples clustered around them. It was also a prosperous town as a market had grown around it (Mate and Pathy 1992: 53). In fact, its earlier name 'Devagiri' points to its association with the divine and the sacred. Its importance lay in the fact that it commanded a very important route, facilitating communication between north and central Deccan (Mate and Pathy 1992: 13).
This religious centre rose to prominence, when in 1196 CE, it came to be the capital city of the Yadava and was fortified. During this period, the town prospered and became the focal centre of all the activities of the period. It is then no wonder that a Jaina cave was excavated at such an important location. Jainism had been powerful force at Devagiri, from earlier times. Of the temples of the pre-Yadava period, some belonged to the Jaina faith (Mate and Pathy 1992: 13). During the Yadavas, the sect flourished as attested by the remains of the Jaina temples and a number of Jina icons at the site (Mate and Pathy 1992: 24-25). Deda, a rich Jaina merchant of Avanti is said to have built a posadhaśālā or a monastery at the site (Sheth 1953: 158-159). The Jaina temple at the
