Most of the sculptures in the Elephanta Caves, a World Heritage Site, are broken
After a long climb up the steep staircase, I finally reached the Elephanta Caves. A UNESCO World Heritage site, these caves date back to the Gupta Empire, marking them as ancient relics of India’s rich past. Yet, for centuries, they remained forgotten—only to be rediscovered in the 16th century by the Portuguese.
The name "Elephanta" itself traces back to Portuguese explorers, who supposedly named the island after finding a stone-carved elephant sculpture here.
Inside the caves, intricate carvings cover the rock walls, but many are in poor condition. Time and erosion have certainly played a role, but signs of deliberate destruction are also evident. In the photograph I took, the sculpture’s hands are missing, and its face is visibly damaged.
Shockingly, this damage is said to have been inflicted by Portuguese soldiers, who used these ancient carvings as target practice for their rifles. While walking through Mumbai, I had strongly felt the remnants of British colonial rule, but here on Elephanta Island, it was Portugal’s influence—and destruction—that lingered.
| Mar 2025 INDIA STILL LIFE | |
| CAVE MUMBAI RUINS STATUE WORLD HERITAGE SITE |
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PHOTO DATA
No
12825
Shooting Date
May 2024
Posted On
March 5, 2025
Modified On
March 9, 2025
Place
Mumbai, India
Genre
Street Photography
Camera
SONY ALPHA 7R V
Lens
ZEISS BATIS 2/40 CF
