History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c24.31

v2.c24.31

The Jains, like the other sects, excavated cave-dwellings or *bhikshugrihas* for their recluses; but the nature of their religion did not require large assembly halls like the chaityas of the Buddhists. They naturally followed the fashion of the other contemporary sects, to which indeed all India was accustomed. We find them, consequently, excavating caves in Orissa and at Junâgadh or Girnâr in Gujarât, as early as the 2nd century B.C., and at later dates at Bâdâmi, at Pâtna in Khandesh, at Elûrâ, Ânkai, and elsewhere.¹ And before entering upon the characteristic examples of the later Jaina Architecture, it may be as well, at this stage, to give some account of the cave architecture of the sect.