The earlier phase of Ajanta falls
between third century BCE to second century
BC. In this phase just five caves were excavated:
Caves 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A. The region during
this time was ruled by the Satavahana dynasty
(230 BC-c. 220 A.D). Therefore, they may be
called the Satavahana-period caves. This phase
is also widely known as the Hinayana phase.