Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c47.4

c47.4

It is sometimes suggested that Ajanta and Ellora were abandoned by the Buddhists in 642 A.D., as a result of the defeat in that year of the Chalukyan, Pulakesin II, by the Pallava King, Narasimhavarman I, and consequent disturbances in the Deccan. Although Narasimha succeeded in capturing Badami he does not appear to have been able to establish himself for any length of time in any considerable portion of the Chalukyan territories. The dynasty of his rivals was certainly not extinguished as is shown by the fact that, some thirty years later, Pulakesin's son, Vikramaditya I, waged a victorious war against the Pallavas and captured their capital, Kanchi. Even if Narasimha had reached Ajanta and Ellora it is hardly likely that he would have been instrumental in suppressing Buddhism in Western India From the observations of Hiuen Tsiang, who visited Kanchi in 640, it would appear that the Pallavas actually protected the Buddhists in South India. As part of the spoils of war Narasimha may possibly have removed to his country the sculptors and stone-masons who were actually employed at Ajanta and Ellora in order that they might work for him at Kanchi and Mahabalipuram. It is, however, highly probable that the unskilled members of the monastic communities would have been allowed to remain in their settlements and to continue their religious activities unhampered, except possibly by the withdrawal of financial support from the Chalukyan kings whose treasury must have been sadly depleted by the Pallava invasion