Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c47.29

c47.29

This brings us to the caves at Ajanta, which were never completed, viz, Caves III, IV, V, XIV, XXIV, XXV, XXVII, XXVIII and XXIX. They were probably under construction in 642 A D, when further work was interrupted by the Pallava invasion of the Deccan. Two of these caves, (*viharas* IV and XXIV) if they had been finished and decorated, would have been the most magnificent of the entire series The hall of Cave IV is considerably larger than that of I and is supported by twenty-eight pillars. There is an interesting Buddhistic Litany near the main door Sculptures of this kind are characteristic of the late Mahayana period.