Historian on a mission to save little-known Buddhist caves in Mumbai - The Times of India

Two years ago, a historian, while researching traditional Indian methods of water harvesting, stumbled upon a series of ancient Buddhist caves in Borivli, which its custodians scarcely knew or cared about.

Initially, she was scared that the historical caves would crumble under the weight of the slum colonies that encroached upon them, but now she fears that the construction works being conducted on an adjacent plot might bring the structures down. (via Historian on a mission to save little-known caves - The Times of India).

While India has managed to obtain funding for 'saving' the gargoyle-infested colonial railway structures from UNESCO, breast beating activists have managed to increase awareness of structures funded by colonial loot and drug trade (of opium).

In all this, two things are forgotten.

One - Colonial versions show the start of Mumbai's history when the Portuguese gave Mumbai as dowry to the British in 1661 - including a Government of Maharashtra website.

If there was no Mumbai before the British, where did these Buddhist caves (at Magathane, Kanheri, etc.) come from? Or did I miss the 'fact' that British first came to India in the 2nd century, made these Buddhist caves - and came back again to India in the 17th century, built these Gothic Victorian structures, and went away - which we 'uncultured' Indians are trying to save?

Two - The liberal establishment in India is worried about all the colonial 'heritage' and structures. Old Mumbai mills are included - but not the even more ancient Buddhist structures. The Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, while decrying the attempts by the Indian neo-Colonial Rulers, to 'save' Mumbai colonial past, makes no mention of these Buddhist caves. While Kipling's bungalow is a 'hallowed' institution, these Buddhist caves are dying of 'active neglect'.