Relevance: GS I (Ancient History & Art and Culture) | Source: The Indian Express / ASI Reports

1. Why is it in the News?

• The Issue: People have been illegally building hotels and houses very close to the historic Naneghat Caves in Pune, Maharashtra.
• The Action: To protect the site, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has officially filed a police complaint against these illegal builders.

2. What is Naneghat? 

• The “Coin Pass”: In the local language, “Nane” means coin and “Ghat” means mountain pass.
• An Ancient Toll Booth: Carved out of the Western Ghats around the 1st century BCE, this site was actually a massive commercial toll plaza!
• The Trade Route: It was a highly important mountain road that connected the rich trading ports on the western coast (Konkan) to the inland markets of the Deccan Plateau.
• The Builders: These rock-cut caves were built during the rule of the powerful Satavahana dynasty.

3. What is Inside the Caves?

• Ancient Records: The cave walls are like ancient record books. They have world-famous writings (inscriptions) carved into the stone.
• The Language: These inscriptions are written in the ancient Brahmi script and the Prakrit language.
• The Message: They give us great details about the family tree, military victories, and the immense wealth of the Satavahana kings.

4. The Law to Protect Monuments

To save such old and important sites, the government uses a strict law called the AMASR Act. It divides the area around a monument into two zones:

• Prohibited Zone (0 to 100 meters): Absolutely no new private construction is allowed here.
• Regulated Zone (Next 200 meters): You can build here, but only after getting a strict “No Objection Certificate” from the National Monuments Authority (NMA).

UPSC Value Box

Important Concept	Simple Meaning for UPSC
Secular Architecture	Most ancient caves (like Ajanta) were made for monks to pray (religious). But Naneghat is unique because it was made for business and tax collection (secular).
Satavahana Dynasty	Great ancient kings who ruled the Deccan region and supported the building of major rock-cut caves.
AMASR Act	The main Indian law that gives the ASI the power to protect old monuments from being destroyed or encroached upon by illegal builders.

Q. With reference to the cultural history of India and the Naneghat Caves, consider the following statements:

1. The Naneghat Caves were primarily constructed as a major toll-collection point on the ancient trade route connecting the Konkan coast with the Deccan Plateau.
2. The caves are famous for their ancient inscriptions written in the Brahmi script detailing the history of the Gupta Empire.
3. Under the AMASR Act, all new private construction is strictly prohibited within a 100-meter radius of a centrally protected monument.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)