Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v2.c8.s5.14

v2.c8.s5.14

The other figure is dressed in the same style, but his features present a great contrast to those of the foreigner. The former appears to be an inhabitant of Magadhadeśa, while the latter evidently hails from Bactria or some other neighbouring country. In the palmy days of Ajanta, votaries would have assembled there from different Buddhist countries, and the artist found ample material for his fantastic studies in the variety of their features and the quaintness of their manners and dresses. In this subject the thick, flowing moustache of the Bihārī and his plump oval face are as typical as the thin moustache, sunken cheeks, and scanty beard of the Bactrian.