Did you know... What damaged the exquisite sculpture in the cave temple of Elephanta?

The island of Elephanta, near Bombay, received its name from the statue of an elephant that used to stand on it, visible from the sea from a distance. The island has a cave temple dedicated to Shiva, excavated sometime between the 4th and 8th centuries (probably nearer the latter date). The main reason why much of the magnificent sculptural decoration is now in tatters is said to be Portuguese gunfire: apparently the martial and devoutly Catholic conquerors used the cave opening as a practice target. They would fire cannon from ships and try to hit the entrance to the "heathen" cave.

Source: just believe me :)

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