DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0090
68 EASTERN CAVES.
Though I am myself strongly of opinion that the true date of this
inscription is about 300 B.C., the question may very -well be left for
future consideration. The important lessons we are taught by the
peculiarities of the Hathi Grumpha are the same that we gathered
from the examination of those in Behar. It is that all the caves
used by the Buddhists, or held sacred by them anterior to the age
of Asoka, are mere natural caverns unimproved by art. With his
reign the fashion of chiselling cells out of the living rock commenced,
and was continued with continually increasing magnificence and
elaboration for nearly 1,000 years after his time.
Before proceeding to describe the remaining excavations in these
hills, it may be as well to advert to a peculiarity we learn as much
from the sculptures of the Bharhut Tope as from the caves of Behar.
It is, that during the reign of Asoka, and for 100 years afterwards,
it was the fashion to add short inscriptions to everything. Not only
as already pointed out are all the Behar caves inscribed, but almost
all the Bharhut sculptures are labelled in the most instructive
manner, which renders these monuments the most valuable contri-
bution to Buddhist legendary history that has been brought to light
in modern times. By the time when the gateways of the Sanchi Tope
were erected, the fashion had unfortunately died out. It still con-
tinued customary for donors of pillars, or of parts, to record their
Danams or gifts, but no description of the scenes depicted, nor is
any other information afforded, beyond the name and condition of the
donor, who generally, however, was a private person, and his name
consequently of no historical value.1
Bagh and Sarpa, or Tiger and Serpent Caves and smaller
Cells.
Guided by these considerations and the architectural indications,
it is probable that we may assume the Tiger and Serpent caves to be
the oldest of the sculptured caves in these hills. The former is a
capriccio certainly, not copied from any conceivable form of stone
architecture, nor likely to be adopted by any people used to any so in-
1 In tie old temple of Papanath, at Pattadkal, this fashion seems to have been re-
vived, for once at least, for all the sculptures on its walls are labelled in characters
probably of the fifth century. Arch. Survey of West. India, 1st Report, p. 36.
Though I am myself strongly of opinion that the true date of this
inscription is about 300 B.C., the question may very -well be left for
future consideration. The important lessons we are taught by the
peculiarities of the Hathi Grumpha are the same that we gathered
from the examination of those in Behar. It is that all the caves
used by the Buddhists, or held sacred by them anterior to the age
of Asoka, are mere natural caverns unimproved by art. With his
reign the fashion of chiselling cells out of the living rock commenced,
and was continued with continually increasing magnificence and
elaboration for nearly 1,000 years after his time.
Before proceeding to describe the remaining excavations in these
hills, it may be as well to advert to a peculiarity we learn as much
from the sculptures of the Bharhut Tope as from the caves of Behar.
It is, that during the reign of Asoka, and for 100 years afterwards,
it was the fashion to add short inscriptions to everything. Not only
as already pointed out are all the Behar caves inscribed, but almost
all the Bharhut sculptures are labelled in the most instructive
manner, which renders these monuments the most valuable contri-
bution to Buddhist legendary history that has been brought to light
in modern times. By the time when the gateways of the Sanchi Tope
were erected, the fashion had unfortunately died out. It still con-
tinued customary for donors of pillars, or of parts, to record their
Danams or gifts, but no description of the scenes depicted, nor is
any other information afforded, beyond the name and condition of the
donor, who generally, however, was a private person, and his name
consequently of no historical value.1
Bagh and Sarpa, or Tiger and Serpent Caves and smaller
Cells.
Guided by these considerations and the architectural indications,
it is probable that we may assume the Tiger and Serpent caves to be
the oldest of the sculptured caves in these hills. The former is a
capriccio certainly, not copied from any conceivable form of stone
architecture, nor likely to be adopted by any people used to any so in-
1 In tie old temple of Papanath, at Pattadkal, this fashion seems to have been re-
vived, for once at least, for all the sculptures on its walls are labelled in characters
probably of the fifth century. Arch. Survey of West. India, 1st Report, p. 36.