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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[August, 1910.
Cave No. 3 at Bāgh. This cave is one of the minor excavations of the series and appears to have been an adjunct of that which has just been examined. It is well decorated, but bas no daghoba in it and seems to have been a residential excavation only, perhaps used by the superior members of the brotherhood, This cave never had a portico, but opened directly on to the valley through an ornamental façade. Of this façade part remains, showing the tigers' beads used in ornamenting it. This façade and some of the pillars of this cave, which has become in part filled with debris, are shown on Plate V, fig. 1.
The cave is very plain in design, but was originally plastered for painting, though only the cells appear to have been actually ornamented with frescoes. It is difficult, however, to understand how the frescoes were done, as the cells are even now, when much of the front has fallen away, almost pitch dark. The frescoes consist of decorative and conventional designs, as well as representations of Buddhas, disciples and monks. Almost all have been defaced until the pictures themselves are unrecognizable, but the general style can still be seen. Two paintings of monks will be found on Plate VI, figs. 1 and 2, both taken from cell doorways13. The colouring of the caves was usually simple, but, inside the cells, the floral designs on the ceilings and the figures of men were often elaborately coloured.
The figures in the cells were also generally surrounded with ovate halos (mandorla) forming a frame to the whole figure.
The outer hall of Cave No. 3 is 28'-6" x 40' and the ceiling was originally supported by six octagonal pillars of which only two are now intact. On the north-east side are six cells. Of these four are grouped round an inner hall, into which what may have been intended for a dāghoba chamber projects. Three rough hewn door ways lead into a large chamber, 39-9" square (50' x 56' (?)]. It is incomplete and shews many signs of being in a state of excavation, when it was abandoned. It is probably a later addition. The total length of the cave from front to back is about 130 feet, and the general height is about 16 feet. (See folding Plan of Bägh Cave No. 3 attached.)
Cave No. 4 at Bagh.
The Rang Mahal. Between Caves Nos. 3 and 4 are 200 yards of solid rock, and the two are quite unconnected. Cave No. 4 is, or rather was, the most magnificent cave of the series, both in structure and ornamentation, having indeed received its name of the Bang Mahal, or Painted Hall, from the frescoes with which it is adorned. The front of the cave was originally protected by a grand portico, which included Cave No. 5 in its sweep, and has a total length of 223 feet", excluding the cells at either end, but including the partition wall. The portico was supported on twenty octagonal pillars, some traces of which remain, a pilaster completing the façade at each end. The height of the portico was 14 feet, the width 10 feet : the pillars being 3 feet to 3 feet in diameter. Steps originally led down to the stream, but the only approach at present is at the north-east end by a mean foot-path (Plate VII).
On approaching this cave the first object met with is a colossal figure of Buddha, which can be seen in a gap in the trees in Plate I, fig. 2, standing in a recess 13 feet high. The teacher is represented as seated with the left hand resting on the left knee, the foot resting on the ground.
13 The left foot in fig. 2 is most awkward. The original was somewhat damaged at this point, but so far as ould be made out the foot was in this position.
14 Front of Cavo No. 4, 108, partition 19-3", front of Cave No. 5, 97-8" total 222-9'.
