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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(AUGUST, 1910.
ornamented with figures and heads of Buddha carved in the stone. Within the frieze on a level with its upper edge, are the four central built up pillars. They are square with a side of 5-10", and 22 feet high from the floor. This makes them 7 feet higher than the aisle pillars and 3 feet [ 4 feet) higher than the columns, which are themselves 4 feet higher than the aisle pillars. The four central pillars are constructed of sandstone blocks without mortar, and they were certainly added after the cave had been excavated.
It is by no means easy to account for this very unusual arrangement, now that the collapse of the roof has filled the centre of the cave with debris. Dr. Impey suggests that some sort of dome was borne on them, under which a dāghoba or image of Buddha stood. Clearing away the debris might settle this point, and considering how unusual tho arrangement is, it would be well worth doing??.
The whole cave is covered with plaster and was once profusely decorated with paintings. An idea of the nature of the decorations may be obtained from Plato LX, figs. 1, 2 and 3. The frescous are already seriously injured and will in a few years' time bave vanished 18.
Cave No. 6 at Bāgh.
Care No. 5 is covered by the same portico as Cave No. 4. A pilaster and portico cell and the remains of a pillar mark its termination, but the pilaster is not so richly carved as that at the north-eastern end. In place of the colossal figare of Buddba to be found at the end are four figures of Buddha cut in the face of the rock between this cave and Cave No. 6.
Cave No. 5 is a parallelogram 96'-6" x 43'-6" [94' x 44'). It has no aisles and no cells. The walls were plastered for painting, and it seems to bave been covered with frescoes similar to, but less elaborate ihan, those in Cave No. 4. Sixteen pillars, about 6 feet apart and 12 feet from the wall,
an in two rows down the centre. They were 11 feet high, the ceiling being nearly three feet above them and connected by an architrave of that depth. (See folding Plan of Caves Nos, 5 and 6 attached.)
The pillars are curious and, as Dr. Impey suggests, appear to shew the influence of Greek models. The shafts, which are round, smooth and unornamented throughout, spring directly from the ground without any pedestal. A small astragal, shaped like a torus, six inches from the top, is the only ornament between base and cavetto. Foor windows and a door light the cave.
Cave No. 5 must, from its shape and arrangement, have been a lecture hall (shāla), or refectory. A door, at the termination of the long portico, leads by a small ante-chamber 18'.8" x 17'-5" (18' x 15'] into the next cavo, No. 6.
Cave No. 6 at Bagh.
This was evidently a residential cave only. It is 48-9" X 46'-7" [46' square) and has no portico. A door and two windows open on to the valley direct. Only traces remain of the six pillars which supported the roof. Five cells in rear and two in the south-western wall supply chambers. Some are large, being 18 x 10-9' and 18' X 12. (See folding Plan of Caves Nos. 5 and 6 attached.) The walls were plastered, but not painted.
it Porsonally I am inclined to think they were simply a constructive necessity required by the weakness of the roof.
18 It would perhaps be worth while deputing competent draughtsman to copy the more important design.
