A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c14.s2.14

c14.s2.14

Publicity has been fatal to the originals, and the Government of H.H. the Nizam, in whose territories the caves are situated, has shown little concern for their preservation. Indeed, thirty years ago one of his subordinate officials wrought much damage by cutting out heads to present to visitors; and, shameful to say, Dr. Bird, a Bombay archaeologist, was guilty of the same crime with the intention of benefiting the Museum at Bombay. Of course, all the fragments of plaster thus abstracted crumbled to dust and were lost irretrievably. Much injury also has been done by smoke from the fires of Hindu ascetics camping in the caves, by the folly of irresponsible scribblers of various nationalities, and by the unchecked action of bats, birds, and nest-building insects.