DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0015
XIV PREFACE.
Elephanta, and others in the west, and found no difficulty in seeing
at a glance, to what religion each was dedicated, and as little in
ascertaining their relative ages among themselves. A great deal
has been done since by new discoveries and further investigations to
fill up the cartoon I then ventured to sketch in, but the correct-
ness of its main outlines have never been challenged and remain
undisturbed.
One of the first works to appear after mine was the " Historical
Eesearches " of Dr. Bird, published in Bombay in 1847,"1 but which
from various causes—more especially the imperfection of the illus-
trations—was most disappointing. Though this.has been almost the
only other work going over the same ground, the interest excited
on the subject, led to the formation of a Cave Commission in Bombay
in 18482 for the purpose of investigating the history of the caves
and taking measures for their preservation. One of the first fruits
of their labour was the production, in August 1850, of a Memoir on
the subject by the late Dr. "Wilson, in the introductory paragraph to
which he made the following statement, which briefly summarises
what was then proposed to be done :—
" The Eoyal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland having, on the
suggestion of James Fergusson, Esq., to whom we are so much indebted
for the artistic and critical illustration of the architectural antiquities of
India, represented to the Court of Directors of the East India Company the
propriety of taking steps for the preservation, as far as possible, of the Cave
Temples and other ancient religious memorials of this country, and for their
full delineation and description, before the work of their decay and destruction
1 Dr. Bird, in the preface to his Historical Researches, says:—
" The Court of Directors have at length responded to the Royal Asiatic Society's
representation of the duty imposed on us, as a nation, to preserve the relics of ancient
art, and have accordingly sent out orders to each presidency that measures be adopted
to keep them from further decay. They are also about to institute an Archaeological
Commission for investigating the architectural character and age of the several monu-
ments; an inquiry which, though long neglected, and left to other nations, less
interested than ourselves in India, is likely to aid in dispelling the mist -which for
centuries has enveloped the historical age of these excavations and the object of their
structure."
2 The Bombay Cave-Temple Commsssion consisted of the Rev. Dr. J. Wilson,
F.K.S., President; Rev. Dr. Stevenson, Vice President; C. J. Erskine, C.S.; Capt.
Lynch, I. N.; Dr. J. Haikness; Venayak Gangadhar Shastri; and Dr. H. J. Carter,
Secretary, and was appointed in terms of a resolution (No. 2805) of 31st July 1848 of
the Government of Bombay.
Elephanta, and others in the west, and found no difficulty in seeing
at a glance, to what religion each was dedicated, and as little in
ascertaining their relative ages among themselves. A great deal
has been done since by new discoveries and further investigations to
fill up the cartoon I then ventured to sketch in, but the correct-
ness of its main outlines have never been challenged and remain
undisturbed.
One of the first works to appear after mine was the " Historical
Eesearches " of Dr. Bird, published in Bombay in 1847,"1 but which
from various causes—more especially the imperfection of the illus-
trations—was most disappointing. Though this.has been almost the
only other work going over the same ground, the interest excited
on the subject, led to the formation of a Cave Commission in Bombay
in 18482 for the purpose of investigating the history of the caves
and taking measures for their preservation. One of the first fruits
of their labour was the production, in August 1850, of a Memoir on
the subject by the late Dr. "Wilson, in the introductory paragraph to
which he made the following statement, which briefly summarises
what was then proposed to be done :—
" The Eoyal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland having, on the
suggestion of James Fergusson, Esq., to whom we are so much indebted
for the artistic and critical illustration of the architectural antiquities of
India, represented to the Court of Directors of the East India Company the
propriety of taking steps for the preservation, as far as possible, of the Cave
Temples and other ancient religious memorials of this country, and for their
full delineation and description, before the work of their decay and destruction
1 Dr. Bird, in the preface to his Historical Researches, says:—
" The Court of Directors have at length responded to the Royal Asiatic Society's
representation of the duty imposed on us, as a nation, to preserve the relics of ancient
art, and have accordingly sent out orders to each presidency that measures be adopted
to keep them from further decay. They are also about to institute an Archaeological
Commission for investigating the architectural character and age of the several monu-
ments; an inquiry which, though long neglected, and left to other nations, less
interested than ourselves in India, is likely to aid in dispelling the mist -which for
centuries has enveloped the historical age of these excavations and the object of their
structure."
2 The Bombay Cave-Temple Commsssion consisted of the Rev. Dr. J. Wilson,
F.K.S., President; Rev. Dr. Stevenson, Vice President; C. J. Erskine, C.S.; Capt.
Lynch, I. N.; Dr. J. Haikness; Venayak Gangadhar Shastri; and Dr. H. J. Carter,
Secretary, and was appointed in terms of a resolution (No. 2805) of 31st July 1848 of
the Government of Bombay.