Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c19.14

c19.14

therefore of the series, viharas Nos. 11, 7 and 6, in that order, were added. These sufficed for a time, but, after some fifty years, still further accommodation for the priests was demanded, and also another and more appropriate hall of worship became desirable This brought the second group into existence, consisting of Nos. 15 to 20, probably the finest of the whole series, it included also the small, but elaborated chaitya hall No. 19. (Plate XLVIII). A little later, a third and separate group was begun on the extreme west of the line, being partially detached from the others owing to an intervening water course. Of this group, viharas numbered 21 to 25 were first cut, followed by chaitya hall No 26, all probably dating from the end of the sixth century. As time went on, and the popularity of the order increased, even more monastic hostels were needed, and so early in the seventh century the fourth group was added on the eastern extremity, thus accounting for viharas numbered 1 to 5. Finally, the last group was undertaken, consisting of two more viharas at the western end and opposite extremity of the line. These are numbered 27 and 28, and it is obvious from their partly completed state that the workmen were disturbed in the course of their operations, dropped their tools, and never returned. This took place towards the middle of the seventh century, when the site was abandoned for ever in consequence of the historical event referred to above.