Amongst the oldest group of caves are the caves which number 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A. The Satavahana Dynasty who ruled this region from 100BCE to 100CE had these caves made under their patronage. When Lord Buddha was revered, the Hinay?na tradition of Buddhism dominated the society. Hence, the phase when these caves were made is often referred to as the Hinayna phase. Caves of the Mahayana or the second period do not portray the complete elaborate cast of supernatural individuality characteristic of the art phase of Buddhism. There is a lack of figurative sculpture in the Satavahana Period which emphasizes on the stupa instead. In the Mahayana period, the astounding majority of art pieces represent Buddha alone and scenes narrating incidents and stories of his life.