Dating controversy: inscriptions don't mention manufacturing. Inscriptions only mention donations, not how chambers were made No function specified for Barabar chambers in inscriptions Nagajuni inscriptions mention 'shelter during rainy season' but chambers predate this
Inscriptions only record donations, not how chambers were built. Harry Falk suggests they likely existed before being gifted to the Ajivika. All seven would need completion within Ashoka's 28-year reign - and inscriptions may have been added much later. 29:42-31:41
Key Facts
- Inscriptions only mention donations, not how chambers were made
- No function specified for Barabar chambers in inscriptions
- Nagajuni inscriptions mention 'shelter during rainy season' but chambers predate this
- All seven chambers would need to be completed in Ashoka's 28-year reign
- Inscriptions may have been engraved long after chambers were built
- Harry Falk: chambers likely existed before being gifted to Ajivika
Related site: Barabar Caves — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Barabar - The Archeological Site of the Future - Narrated by Jahannah James by Funny Olde World