Why in the News?

Observations made by previous historians who had found painted pottery and coins from the Shatavahana empire and the pre-historic period were once again in the news.

About Chandravalli Caves (also known as Ankali Math)

• • Chandravalli, a cave temple near Chitradurga, is also a pre-historic site.
  • Observations at the Site:
    • Previous excavations were carried out by Mortimer Wheeler under the guidance of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1947.
    • The cave features multiple chambers including a puja place with a shivlinga, a drawing room, a bedroom, and a water outlet connected to an internal tank.
    • The caves are accessible only through a narrow entrance, with interiors visible only with the help of a powerful torch hence they are also called as “Dark Caves”.
      • Presently, Excavations have revealed artifacts such as coins, painted bowls, and earthen pots from various dynasties such as the Hoysala, the Satavahana, and the Vijayanagara.
      • Excavation reports show that human habitation existed here even during the Iron Age.

• Historical Aspect: 

• • They were named after a saint from Ankalagi in Belagavi district who is believed to have settled here.
  • The cave also contains a rock inscription of Mayurasharma, the founder of the Kadamba dynasty, dating back to AD 450.

• Coins from Indian kings like Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, Krishnadevaraya, various Satavahana kings, and Viraraya of the Hoysala kingdom have been discovered.
• Among the foreign coins found are denarii of Roman ruler Augustus Caesar and a coin of Chinese Han dynasty Emperor Wu Ti.

• Geographical Aspects:

• • The area is semi-arid with scrub vegetation and a stream running through it.
  • These caves are surrounded by three hills: Chitradurga, Kirabanakallu, and Jolagudda.

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