DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0331
AJANTA. 30(J
Cave XVII.
The next is another fine Vihara cave similar to the last (Plate
XXXIII.), and apparently executed at no distant date from the other.
Still there is so much difference in the'architecture of these two caves,
and so much progress shown in the style of painting, that some
interval must have elapsed between the time when they were ex-
cavated. The form of the characters used in the long inscription on
its verandah, when compared with the Vindhyasakti inscription in
Cave XVI., shows such an advance that, though it may safely be
assumed that they were both excavated within the limits of the sixth
century, there may be an interval of 50 years between the two.
Outside to the left, over a cistern and under an inscription, is a
triple compartment of sculpture ; in the centre Buddha squats under
an ornamental arch or torana, with Vidyddharas above, and wheel,
deer, and lions below. On each side is a Buddha standing on a lotus
with worshippers below. At the right end opposite this several
rows of squatting Buddhas have been sculptured on the rock, a
piece of which has broken and fallen away, leaving a higher portion
to slide down into its place.
The verandah has been supported by six plain octagonal columns
with bracket capitals and neat bases resembling the Attic base, but
without its lower torus. The hall is entered by a central door, re-
sembling that in No. XVI., with a row of painted Buddhas over it,
and by two side doors. It is further lighted by two windows. This
apartment is 63| feet wide by 62 feet deep, and 13 feet high, its
r°of being supported by twenty octagonal pillars,—all plain, except
"e two in the middle of the front and back rows, which have square
ases> shafts partly octagonal and partly sixteen sided and more
ornamented.
I he antechamber is small with two figures in front,—but the
sjwne is 17| feet ^q jjy. 20 deep, and in front of the great image
ere s*ands on the floor two figures, one holding the alms-bowl of
• e mihhu, the other damaged. There are also two attendants on
6a* side of the Buddha and two chauri-bearers.
esides the two in the verandah, this cave contains sixteen cells.
• ne right end of the verandah there is a small hole in the floor
0 a fane cistern of water, the entrance to which is up a flight of
6ePs between this cave and No. XVI.
Cave XVII.
The next is another fine Vihara cave similar to the last (Plate
XXXIII.), and apparently executed at no distant date from the other.
Still there is so much difference in the'architecture of these two caves,
and so much progress shown in the style of painting, that some
interval must have elapsed between the time when they were ex-
cavated. The form of the characters used in the long inscription on
its verandah, when compared with the Vindhyasakti inscription in
Cave XVI., shows such an advance that, though it may safely be
assumed that they were both excavated within the limits of the sixth
century, there may be an interval of 50 years between the two.
Outside to the left, over a cistern and under an inscription, is a
triple compartment of sculpture ; in the centre Buddha squats under
an ornamental arch or torana, with Vidyddharas above, and wheel,
deer, and lions below. On each side is a Buddha standing on a lotus
with worshippers below. At the right end opposite this several
rows of squatting Buddhas have been sculptured on the rock, a
piece of which has broken and fallen away, leaving a higher portion
to slide down into its place.
The verandah has been supported by six plain octagonal columns
with bracket capitals and neat bases resembling the Attic base, but
without its lower torus. The hall is entered by a central door, re-
sembling that in No. XVI., with a row of painted Buddhas over it,
and by two side doors. It is further lighted by two windows. This
apartment is 63| feet wide by 62 feet deep, and 13 feet high, its
r°of being supported by twenty octagonal pillars,—all plain, except
"e two in the middle of the front and back rows, which have square
ases> shafts partly octagonal and partly sixteen sided and more
ornamented.
I he antechamber is small with two figures in front,—but the
sjwne is 17| feet ^q jjy. 20 deep, and in front of the great image
ere s*ands on the floor two figures, one holding the alms-bowl of
• e mihhu, the other damaged. There are also two attendants on
6a* side of the Buddha and two chauri-bearers.
esides the two in the verandah, this cave contains sixteen cells.
• ne right end of the verandah there is a small hole in the floor
0 a fane cistern of water, the entrance to which is up a flight of
6ePs between this cave and No. XVI.