Located in the ancient city of Rajgir, the Son Bhandar Caves are two artificial caves about which little is known. They are noted for their polished surfaces, a common trait in ancient Mauryan artifacts, but rather unusual in cave temples. One of the caves is believed to be from the time of the Mauryan Empire, which ruled South Asia from the late fourth to early second centuries B.C. The second cave, adjacent to it, has been largely destroyed, but some of its beautiful Jain sculptures remain intact. Inscriptions in Gupta…
