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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(SEPTEMBER, 1910.
The four pillars bear an arched roof which is 19 feet, 4 inches high. The Vault over the Dāgloba was, when complete, about 24 feet high, or 8 feet ahove the top of the Daghoba. The roof of the ante-chamber and also of the side aisles is 14 feet 4 inches high. The ornamentation used in this cave and indeed, throughout the series, is of the simplest (Plate III). No representations of Buddha are met with, but Däghobas are frequently seen. There are also no signs of plastering for frescoe work.
The cave on the western face was evidently an exact replica of this one and, judging from the appearance, both the caves should be placed in the Seventh Century A.D.
THE DHAMNAR CAVES.
As a very full account of the Dhamnar Caves is given by Sir Alexander Canningham (in Archæological Survey Report, Vol. II, p. 270) a description is unnecessary here. Plate I gives a general view of the caves described by Cunningham, the principal excavations being indicated below by the same number as are used in the Archaeological Survey Report.
On Plate II, figs. 1, 2 and 8 are views of Cave No. 6, called the Bapi Kaohahri. It consists of a flat roofed central hall, 20 feet square, supported on four pillars. In rear is the small Chaityn chamber with its Daghoba. The portico is fine. It rests on two pillars and two balf pilasters, bearing an entablature and frieze, the latter being ornamented with the characteristic Buddhist device and a representation of # Tope. Below is a railing imitating # wooden structure.
Plate III, fig. 1, represents the portico of Cave No. 8, the Chhoti Kaohahri. It resembles the Bari Kachahri, but is of simpler design, while the roof is domed and ribbed to represent rafters. Plato III, fig. 8, 'shews Cave No. 10, known as the Bajlok Guphā. It is 25 feet by 23 feet, and resembles Cave No. 6.
Plate III, fig. 4, represents Cave No. 11, called Bhim's Bāzār, from the seated figure of * Buddba in it. It is unusually interesting as it is a combined Chaitya hall and Vihāra. The representation shews one of the passages with the cells for monks. In size it is the largest of the series, being 115 feet by 80. The roof is domed and ribbed as in the case of No. 8. The facade. resembles that of No. 6. Plate No. III, fig. 2, gives Cave No. 12 called the Hathimokh Cave, from the Däghobs which supports the roof. It is of simple design, 25 feet by 27 feet. A staircase just outside this cave leads to the top of the hill.
On Plate IV, fig. 1, is general view of Caves 8, 9, and 10, 11, shewing also a broken Daghoba in the foreground, the sphere from the top lying in front of the damaged base. Plate IV, fig. 2, gives A view of one of the Colossi, 10 feet high, at the entrance to Cave No. 13, known as the Child's Cave, so called from this figure and some representations of Buddha in it. Plate IV, fig. 3, shews the steps near Cave No. 12.
Plates V and VI shew two views of the fine rock-out Brahmanical temple to the north of the Caves. This temple lies in a pit 104 feet by 67 feet and 80 feet deep. The temple is 48 feet by 33 feet, and has seven small shrines round it.
