Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c12.24

c12.24

The next example, the chaitya hall at Kondane, displayed a facade of much the same type as the preceding, except that the upright beams on either side of the archway instead of being entirely of wood were in this instance partly carved in the rock, thus implying a small but progressive step in the evolution of the style (Plate XXII, Fig. 2). Much of the interior has been destroyed but enough remains to show that its dimensions were slightly larger than those of Bhaja, as it is 66 feet long 26½ feet across and its height is rather more than 28 feet. The more finished line of curvature of the facade archway has been already described. Out of the entire series of Hinayana chaitya halls, those of Bhaja and Kondane, being the oldest, are most informative, as they record in a striking manner the methods and expedients, not only of the rock-carver but also of the wood-worker at this early date.