DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0187
PART II.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
If there had been no other examples of Cave Temples in India
than those described in the preceding pages, the subject of its rock-
cut architecture, though interesting to local antiquaries and those
specially connected with Indian matters, -would hardly have been
deemed of sufficient importance to attract attention in Europe. The
caves in Behar are too small and insignificant to claim especial
notice, except from their bearing on the general history of the
subject. Those in Orissa, though larger and more elaborately
finished, are too much isolated in their character to be of much
value, except when studied in connexion with more extensive groups;
while those in the Madras presidency are interesting more from
their bearing on the past history of Buddhist architecture in the
north, and on the future of the Dra vidian style in the south, than from
any peculiar merit of their own. When, however, these eastern
caves are taken in connexion with the whole subject, as we now
know it, they become invaluable, as throwing light on the general
history of cave architecture in India, and receive a reflected light
from the western caves, which increases their importance to an
extent they could hardly claim for themselves. When we turn to
the Western caves the case is widely different. We there find at
least one thousand excavations of various sorts and dimensions.
ome °f great size and of the most elaborate architecture, and all
having a distinct meaning and bearing on the general history of
architecture. When their story is carefully examined it appears
that they are spread pretty evenly over more than 1,000 years of
ie darkest, though most interesting, period of Indian history, and.
n a light upon it as great or greater than can be derived from
aDy other source. In addition to these claims to attention the
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
If there had been no other examples of Cave Temples in India
than those described in the preceding pages, the subject of its rock-
cut architecture, though interesting to local antiquaries and those
specially connected with Indian matters, -would hardly have been
deemed of sufficient importance to attract attention in Europe. The
caves in Behar are too small and insignificant to claim especial
notice, except from their bearing on the general history of the
subject. Those in Orissa, though larger and more elaborately
finished, are too much isolated in their character to be of much
value, except when studied in connexion with more extensive groups;
while those in the Madras presidency are interesting more from
their bearing on the past history of Buddhist architecture in the
north, and on the future of the Dra vidian style in the south, than from
any peculiar merit of their own. When, however, these eastern
caves are taken in connexion with the whole subject, as we now
know it, they become invaluable, as throwing light on the general
history of cave architecture in India, and receive a reflected light
from the western caves, which increases their importance to an
extent they could hardly claim for themselves. When we turn to
the Western caves the case is widely different. We there find at
least one thousand excavations of various sorts and dimensions.
ome °f great size and of the most elaborate architecture, and all
having a distinct meaning and bearing on the general history of
architecture. When their story is carefully examined it appears
that they are spread pretty evenly over more than 1,000 years of
ie darkest, though most interesting, period of Indian history, and.
n a light upon it as great or greater than can be derived from
aDy other source. In addition to these claims to attention the