Indian Antiquary Vol 03

SR No.: 032495
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 420
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 299

OCTOBER, 1874.]
THE AJANTA CAVES.
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In the chaityas the sculpture is confined, in The paintings have been in the most brilliant the more ancient caves to the façades; in the colours; the light and shade are very good; more modern ones it is found covering the and they have been executed upon a thick walls of the aisles, the columns and entablatures, layer of stucco, but whether whilst it was wet or and on the dahgobas. It consists chiefly of dry is difficult to say: in many places the colour representations of Buddha, or Buddhist teachers, has penetrated it to a considerable depth. But in every variety of attitude, instructing chelas or for further information on these interesting disciples. The sculpture generally shows but remains of ancient art we must refer to the little knowledge of art, indeed none beyond the reports of Mr. Griffiths already given (Ind. commonest rudiments of proportion. The paint- Ant. vol. II. p. 152, and vol. III. p. 25). ings have much higher pretensions, and have At first sight there seems to be a want of even been considered superior to the style of harmony in the styles of the pillars of the Europe in the age when they were probably colonnados, both of the Chaityas and Viharas; executed. The human figure is represented in but closer examination reveals a certain reguevery possible variety of position, and display- larity of system,-thus in the Chaitya caves ing some slight knowledge of anatomy; and the columns over against one another on each attempts at foreshortening have been made with side of the nave correspond in order; and in the surprising success. The hands are generally well Viharas the two central pillars in each face of and gracefully drawn, and rude efforts at perspec-1 the colonnades are alike, then those to the right tive are to be met with. Besides paintings of and left of them, and so on to the corner ones, Buddha and his disciples and devotees, there are all of which, in some cases, are of one pattern. representations ofstreets, processions, battles, in- | There are a number of inscriptions about the teriors of houses with the inmates pursuing caves, both engraved and painted, the painted their daily occupations, domestic scenes of love ones all inside, and, with one exception, all the and marriage and death, groups of women per- engraved ones outside ; but they are mostly in so forming the tapasya or religious austerity on the damaged a state that but little information has asan siddha or holy bed of the ascetic; there hitherto been derived from them. Of tho cight are hunts, men on horseback spearing the wild rock inscriptions, the late Dr. Bhâu Daji states buffalo; animals, from the huge elephant to
that two of the five shorter ones are in, Magathe diminutive quail; exhibitions of cobra di dhi, the rest in Sanskrit: the painted inscripcapello, ships, fish, &c. The small number of tions are seventeen in number, mostly very domestic utensils depicted is somewhat remark- short, in several instances only proper names. able :-the common chátti and lotd, a drinking- With little other variation than in the names, cup, and one or two other dishes, a tray, an seven or more of them seem to have read in this elegantly-shaped sort of jug laving an oval fashion : body and long thin neck with lip and handle,
The charitable assignation of the Sakya together with a stone and roller for grinding Bhikshu Bhadanta Dharmadatta. May condiments, are all that are observable. The the merit of this be the cause of attainment of same lack of weapons of war, either offensive supreme knowledge to mother and father and or defensive, is also to be noticed. Swords, to all beings!' straight and crooked, long and short, spears of In Cave XVI. is a rock inscription, much various kinds, clubs, bows and arrows, a wea- damaged, whoh gives the names of Vindhyapon resembling a bayonet reversed, the chakra- sakti, Pravarasena Varaha Deva, and missile like a quoit with cross bars in the
other kings of the Vák å ta ka dynasty mencentre,- and shields of different forms, exhaust tioned in the Seoni copperplates, and in Cave the list. There is also what bears a strong XVII. there is an inscription on the right of the resemblance to a Greek helmet, and three horses veranda of about the same length as that on Cave are to be seen yoked abreast, but whether they XVI. Dr. Bhâu Dåji's translation begins,were originally attached to a war-chariot cannot ".. obeisance to the Muni, the great lord of now be determined. *
the three Vidyas, whose most charitable act is
• For many of the details given here I am indebted to Major R. Gill