A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c8.33

c8.33

When side-aisles are added, the form of the Buddhist church becomes almost identical with that of the early Christian basilica, a *stūpa* or *dāgaba* usually taking the place assigned to the altar in the apse of the basilica. The celebrated cave at Kārli, between Bombay and Poona, is designed on that plan, consisting of a nave and side-aisles, terminating in an apse or semi-dome, round which the aisle is carried. The general form of the façade is that of the Nāsik rock-cut example of the second century B.C., but of course details vary according to date and locality. The most ancient example of such a façade is the Lomas Rishi Cave in the Barābar Hills near Gayā, dating from Asoka's time, about 257 B.C. (Fig. 5), which is an exact copy of wooden construction. The frieze of elephants is well carved. Many of the later façades are crowded with figures of Buddha and other sculptures.