The Sahya Mountain: Śiva Religion in the Port Polity of the North Konkan

Research reveals that the development of early Śiva religion in the North Konkan, home to monumental cave-temples like those on Elephanta Island, was not solely dependent on ruling elites but was deeply intertwined with flourishing trade networks and corporate patronage. Contrary to the widely assumed link between these sites and the early Kalacuris rulers, this study demonstrates that merchants, traders, and local collectives played a significant role in supporting religious institutions within this cosmopolitan port polity. Through comparative stylistic analysis of rock-cut monuments, researchers approximated the construction period of these cave temples to mid-6th to late 7th century CE, providing new insights into the regional and religious economies of the area.

Cecil, E. A. (2020). The Sahya Mountain: Śiva Religion in the Port Polity of the North Konkan. Mapping the Pāśupata Landscape, 161–211. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004424425_006