Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c47.26

c47.26

There is some difference of opinion among archaeologists with regard to the period when *viharas* I and II were completed Most of the authorities seem to agree that they may be assigned to the first half of the seventh century A D., but it has also been suggested that Cave I may have been constructed towards the end of the fifth century and that Cave II belongs to a slightly later period, possibly the first half of the sixth century. The latter theory, if correct, would place the four caves (XVI, XVII, I and II) which contain the best of the Ajanta paintings within a period which is generally held to have produced the finest specimens of Gupta art On the other hand, it would be equally interesting if the theory could be reaffirmed, that Caves I and II belong to the first half of the seventh century A D. as this would indicate that the Gupta tradition at Ajanta was sufficiently strong to ensure its survival there long after the disruption of the Gupta Empire in North India under the impact of the Hun invasions I must confess that I find the latter theory the more attractive one and I would be loath to discard it except in the face of very convincing evidence.