Naneghat Caves

Why in News?

Recently, Pune Police booked a man for illegal construction near the historic Naneghat Caves, under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act.

• Location – Naneghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats, about 20 km from Junnar in Pune district, Maharashtra.
  • Other sites in Junnar - Shivneri fort and Lenyadri caves
• Managed by – The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and any construction within 200 metres of the site boundary is prohibited.
• Protected under – The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• Timeline – Dating back to the 1st century BCE.
• Belief – Used by Buddhist, Jain and Ajivika sects for meditation and ascetic life.
• Associated with – Satavahana dynasty.
• Construction – Rock-cut caves carved into the hillside.
• Extent – Part of Junnar’s historical sites along with Shivneri Fort and Lenyadri Caves.
• Features –
• Architecture – Rock-cut cave architecture with early Brahmi inscriptions giving insights into Satavahana rule and trade routes.
• Trade Importance – Extensively used during the Satavahana period as a trade route between Kalyan and Junnar.
  • Important corridor linking the ancient trade route connecting the Western coast to the Deccan plateau
• Archaeological Evidence – Excavations indicate trade links between Romans and Satavahanas.

Reference

IE | Naneghat Caves