DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9541#0168
Chap. VI
WESTERN" V1HARA CAVES.
J 45
It is not clear whether this is a eopy of any existing wooden erection,
or whether it was that, being the first attempt at an independent
vihara in tlie rock, they thought it ought to resemble a chaitya in
plan. My impression is that the latter is the true explanation ; such
an arrangement in a free-standing structure intended for a residence
would lie absurd, but we are here assisting at the "incunabula" of the
style, and must not be surprised at anomalies.
Number 12 at Ajunta is merely a square hall, measuring 3G ft. 7 in.
■each -way. It has no pillars, and its only ornament consists of seven
horseshoe arches, four of which are over the doors of cells, the other
three only ornamental. Unfortunately, the rock over its front has
given way, and carried with it the facade, which probably was the most
ornamental part of the design.
Number 1 ] is a step in advance of this one, there being four
pillars in its centre (Woodcut No. 74). It has nine cells, but is without
any sanctuary or ritual arrangement.
In age, it seems to be contemporary
with the chait}'a No. 10, to which it
evidently belongs, aud like it may be
considered a.s a transitional example,
dating about the Christian Era, or
rather before that time.
The most marked characteristic
'of these early viharas on the western
side of India, is that unlike their 71. Cave No. 11. at Ajunu.
,,,.-1^ . l__ .1 l ll (1'rulu ;i Plan by the Author.)
•eastern contemporaries, they are wholly scato 60 ft to 1 in.
devoid of figure-sculpture : no bassi-
relievi, not even an emblem, relieves the severity of their simplicity.
Over the doorways of the cells there are the usual horseshoe arches,
■copied from the windows of the great chaityas, and the invariable
Buddhist rail repeated everywhere as a stringcourse, with an occa-
sional pillar or pilaster to relieve the monotony.
There do not at present seem to exist any data sufficient to
account satisfactorily for this curious dillerence between the ex-
uberance of figure-sculpture in the east, and its total absence in the
west in the pre-Christian Era caves, and the problem must be relegated
for further inquiries. Looking, however, at the progress made of late
years in these Bubjects, there is little doubt that its solution is not far
off, and will, when reached, throw fresh light on the early history of
Buddhism. .Meanwhile, it may be worthy of remark, that the only
living representation that is common to both sides of India, is the
presence of the tltree-headed Naga on the facade of the Nassick
chaitya (Woodcut No. 52), and its appearance in a similar position
on the Chulakanna and Ananta caves at Udayagiri in Orissa. It points
•to an important feature in earby Buddhist history, but not exactly
L
WESTERN" V1HARA CAVES.
J 45
It is not clear whether this is a eopy of any existing wooden erection,
or whether it was that, being the first attempt at an independent
vihara in tlie rock, they thought it ought to resemble a chaitya in
plan. My impression is that the latter is the true explanation ; such
an arrangement in a free-standing structure intended for a residence
would lie absurd, but we are here assisting at the "incunabula" of the
style, and must not be surprised at anomalies.
Number 12 at Ajunta is merely a square hall, measuring 3G ft. 7 in.
■each -way. It has no pillars, and its only ornament consists of seven
horseshoe arches, four of which are over the doors of cells, the other
three only ornamental. Unfortunately, the rock over its front has
given way, and carried with it the facade, which probably was the most
ornamental part of the design.
Number 1 ] is a step in advance of this one, there being four
pillars in its centre (Woodcut No. 74). It has nine cells, but is without
any sanctuary or ritual arrangement.
In age, it seems to be contemporary
with the chait}'a No. 10, to which it
evidently belongs, aud like it may be
considered a.s a transitional example,
dating about the Christian Era, or
rather before that time.
The most marked characteristic
'of these early viharas on the western
side of India, is that unlike their 71. Cave No. 11. at Ajunu.
,,,.-1^ . l__ .1 l ll (1'rulu ;i Plan by the Author.)
•eastern contemporaries, they are wholly scato 60 ft to 1 in.
devoid of figure-sculpture : no bassi-
relievi, not even an emblem, relieves the severity of their simplicity.
Over the doorways of the cells there are the usual horseshoe arches,
■copied from the windows of the great chaityas, and the invariable
Buddhist rail repeated everywhere as a stringcourse, with an occa-
sional pillar or pilaster to relieve the monotony.
There do not at present seem to exist any data sufficient to
account satisfactorily for this curious dillerence between the ex-
uberance of figure-sculpture in the east, and its total absence in the
west in the pre-Christian Era caves, and the problem must be relegated
for further inquiries. Looking, however, at the progress made of late
years in these Bubjects, there is little doubt that its solution is not far
off, and will, when reached, throw fresh light on the early history of
Buddhism. .Meanwhile, it may be worthy of remark, that the only
living representation that is common to both sides of India, is the
presence of the tltree-headed Naga on the facade of the Nassick
chaitya (Woodcut No. 52), and its appearance in a similar position
on the Chulakanna and Ananta caves at Udayagiri in Orissa. It points
•to an important feature in earby Buddhist history, but not exactly
L