Chaul (modern Revdanda, Raigad district, Maharashtra) lies 20 km south of Alibaug, on the Konkan coast near the Kundalika River estuary. For nearly two millennia, Chaul was one of the most important port towns on India’s west coast. It was a hub for Indian Ocean trade, connecting inland Deccan routes to maritime networks.
📜 Early Historical Mentions
Buddhist Records (1st–2nd century CE):
Earliest references come from Kanheri cave inscriptions near Mumbai, which mention donations by merchants from Chemulaka (ancient Chaul).
Buddhist caves at Chaul itself (later converted into the Hingulja Devi temple) contain cells and a carved Stupa relief, dating to the Satavahana era (1st–2nd century CE).
Nearby, an additional rock-cut cave at Agrav (2nd–3rd century CE) has been found.
Classical Sources:
Ptolemy’s Geographia (2nd c. CE) mentions it as Symulla/Timulla.
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea also lists Symulla, south of Kalyan and north of Mandad.
Xuanzang (7th c. CE) refers to Chimolo, noting its wealth from maritime trade.
Arab Geographers (9th–12th c. CE):
Called Saimur or Jaimur. Writers like al-Masudi (915 CE), Ibn Hauqal (976 CE), al-Idrisi (1130 CE) describe it as a cosmopolitan port with mosques, churches, synagogues, fire temples, and Hindu shrines.
🏛 Archaeology & Buddhism
Excavations at Chaul (2003, 2005 – Deccan College) uncovered:
Satavahana brick structures with Roman amphorae and Red Polished Ware → evidence of Indo-Roman trade.
Glazed West Asian ceramics and Chinese porcelain → proof of medieval global connections.
Buddhist Heritage:
The Chaul caves and stupas highlight Chaul as a Buddhist settlement and trading community in the early centuries CE.
Its Buddhist links extend into the larger Konkan–Kanheri–Sopara circuit, marking it as part of the early spread of Buddhism along maritime trade routes.
⚔️ Medieval & Early Modern History
Shilaharas (9th–12th c.): Copper plate grants mention Chaul alongside Sopara and Thane.
Yadavas (13th c.): Inscriptions (1298 CE) confirm their rule.
Delhi Sultanate & Bahmanis (14th c.): Alauddin Khilji captured Chaul; later an important Bahmani port.
Portuguese (16th–17th c.):
Arrived in 1505 CE; built Revdanda (Fortaleza de Chaul) and later Korlai Fort.
Made Chaul a key stronghold in their west coast empire.
Marathas (17th–18th c.): Shivaji recognized Chaul’s naval value, incorporating it into his coastal fort network.
British (19th c.): Took over after defeating the Marathas in 1818. By then Chaul had declined, overshadowed by Bombay.
Chaul Buddhist Caves Group 1
(Waghdevi Temple at Chinchoti)
The Chaul Buddhist Caves are best described as an abandoned and partially complete archaeological site.
Now this hijack by others and presently called as Waghdevi Mandir at Chinchoti.
The caves are generally dated to between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE, placing them in the late Hinayana (Theravada) phase of Buddhism, a period contemporary with the more famous Karla, Bhaja, and Bedse caves.
The caves are not easy to find. presently called as Waghdevi Mandir.
They are located on a hillock behind the Portuguese-era Korlai Fort village, across the Revdanda creek at Chinchoti village. There are no prominent signposts. Directions often involve asking local villagers. Reaching the caves requires a 20-30 minute scramble over laterite rock formations and through light vegetation. It is not a paved path. It is essential to wear sturdy, non-slip shoes. The overwhelming atmosphere is one of isolation and forgotten history. It is silent, peaceful, and slightly melancholic. You will likely be the only visitor there.
Cave 1 (The Main Chaitya Griha):
Present Layout: A large, shallow, apsidal hall cut into the cliffside. The floor is uneven natural rock.
The Stupa: The hemispherical dome of the stupa is completely un-sculpted. It resembles a large boulder within the cave, with only its basic form blocked out. The harmika (the square railing on top) and the chhatra (umbrella) are not even attempted.
Pillars: The colonnade that would typically line the aisle is absent. Only the beginnings of a few pillar bases can be discerned from the rock.
Facade: The front of the cave is plain and stark. The great arch (chaitya window) that usually dominates the façade of such caves is missing. The entrance is a simple, rough opening.
Cave 2 (The Vihara):
A single, square, and plain hall with a low ceiling. It is small and austere.
There are three small doorways leading into rudimentary rock-cut cells. These cells are bare, with no platforms or decorative elements.
This cave is particularly prone to collecting water and debris during the monsoon, making it often muddy and damp.
Cave 3 (The Water Cistern):
A small, functional tank cut into the rock. It still holds water during and after the rainy season.
It is functional but filled with stagnant water, leaves, and algae.
Chaul Buddhist Caves Group 2
(Hinglaj Mata Temple)
The Buddhist caves are carved in the small hill very close to the Hinglaj Mata temple.
These caves date back to the Hinayana Buddhism period, around the 1st-2nd century CE (approximately 2000 years ago). This was a time when Chaul was a flourishing port on the Arabian Sea trade route.
After the decline of Buddhism in this region, the site was not abandoned. The local spiritual importance continued. The existing caves were absorbed into the later Hindu tradition. The Buddhist site was “re-consecrated” as a seat of the Goddess.
The ancient port of Chaul (Saimur/Simur) was a major international trading hub. Wealthy Buddhist merchants would have donated money to carve these caves for monks to earn merit.
Vihara (Monastery): The main cave is a Vihara – a residential hall for Buddhist monks. It consists of a central hall surrounded by small, simple rock-cut cells where the monks lived and meditated.
Carved Stupa: This is the most important archaeological feature. Inside the central hall of the Vihara, you will find a stupa carved directly out of the living rock. This stupa was the object of worship for the monks. It has a simple, hemispherical dome (anda) on a cylindrical base (medhi), characteristic of early Buddhist architecture.
Water Cisterns: As with all monastic settlements, there are cleverly carved water tanks to collect monsoon rainwater for year-round use.
Some of the caves have Brahmi inscriptions mentioning donations by laypeople and merchants, a common feature of Buddhist caves funded by the prosperous trading community. We unable to locate any such inscriptions.
