DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0320
298 LATER BUDDHIST CAVE-TEMPLES.
given to his Chauri-bearer, and these are increased in later times
from two to four, and sometimes even to eight or more. In addition
to these figures of Buddha with the Bodhisatwas, which are multi-
plied almost everywhere on the walls of the caves, and they arc
frequently accompanied by female figures or Sdhtis, such as Tara,
Marmukhi, Lochana, and others. In fact, a whole system of idolatry
is introduced into them, at total variance with the simpler form
of faith that characterized the earlier caves.
The architecture of the later caves belonging to the Mahayana sect
exhibits almost as great a change as their imagery. The grandiose
design, and simple detail of the early caves, gives place to facades
and interiors crowded with pillars, carved or painted with the most
elaborate and minute ornaments. The animal figures disappear
from the capitals, and are replaced by brackets richly ornamented
and filled with figures and mythological representations of the most
varied kind. The doorways of the caves too are occasionally marvels
of elaborate decorations. The change is, in fact, quite as great as
that which took place between the early English style that prevailed
in this country betweeen the reigns of Henry II. and Henry III,
and the decorated style introduced by Edward III., and which pre-
vailed till the time of Eichard III. The change was perhaps even
greater, and accompanied, in India certainly, by a far greater change
of ritual than was introduced into England with the change of
architectural style.
It is not at present possible to state with precision the exact period
at which the transition from the Hinayana to the Mahayana sect took
place. As stated above, the last caves of the Hinayana are those at
Nasik, and their age depends on our being able to ascertain when
Gautamiputra excavated No. III., and what Yajnasri really did in
Wo. XV. Even then the uncertainty that hangs over the lists of the
Andhrabhrityas prevents our being able to fix these dates with cer-
tainty. It is probable they reigned in the third century, but near!)
as probable, that the last-named king flourished in the fourth-
this as it may, there seems to have been a pause in the fashion o
excavating caves after the disappearance of these Satakarnis.
have no cave that can with certainty be dated in the fifth centurj,
probably not one in the latter half of the fourth, but with the sixt i
century the practice was resumed with vigour, and during the ne
century and a half nearly all the Mahayana caves were excavatu
given to his Chauri-bearer, and these are increased in later times
from two to four, and sometimes even to eight or more. In addition
to these figures of Buddha with the Bodhisatwas, which are multi-
plied almost everywhere on the walls of the caves, and they arc
frequently accompanied by female figures or Sdhtis, such as Tara,
Marmukhi, Lochana, and others. In fact, a whole system of idolatry
is introduced into them, at total variance with the simpler form
of faith that characterized the earlier caves.
The architecture of the later caves belonging to the Mahayana sect
exhibits almost as great a change as their imagery. The grandiose
design, and simple detail of the early caves, gives place to facades
and interiors crowded with pillars, carved or painted with the most
elaborate and minute ornaments. The animal figures disappear
from the capitals, and are replaced by brackets richly ornamented
and filled with figures and mythological representations of the most
varied kind. The doorways of the caves too are occasionally marvels
of elaborate decorations. The change is, in fact, quite as great as
that which took place between the early English style that prevailed
in this country betweeen the reigns of Henry II. and Henry III,
and the decorated style introduced by Edward III., and which pre-
vailed till the time of Eichard III. The change was perhaps even
greater, and accompanied, in India certainly, by a far greater change
of ritual than was introduced into England with the change of
architectural style.
It is not at present possible to state with precision the exact period
at which the transition from the Hinayana to the Mahayana sect took
place. As stated above, the last caves of the Hinayana are those at
Nasik, and their age depends on our being able to ascertain when
Gautamiputra excavated No. III., and what Yajnasri really did in
Wo. XV. Even then the uncertainty that hangs over the lists of the
Andhrabhrityas prevents our being able to fix these dates with cer-
tainty. It is probable they reigned in the third century, but near!)
as probable, that the last-named king flourished in the fourth-
this as it may, there seems to have been a pause in the fashion o
excavating caves after the disappearance of these Satakarnis.
have no cave that can with certainty be dated in the fifth centurj,
probably not one in the latter half of the fourth, but with the sixt i
century the practice was resumed with vigour, and during the ne
century and a half nearly all the Mahayana caves were excavatu