Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v2.c8.s6.16

v2.c8.s6.16

On the left of the rājā is the figure of a youth, who is either saluting with both hands joined and raised towards the forehead, or announcing in a respectful manner the arrival of some important personage, for a great cavalcade waits outside the royal pavilion. Behind the youth two elephants may be seen, the heads and trunks of which are excellently drawn. The fine brush-lines depicting the folds of the skin of the lower elephant’s trunk are very ingeniously painted. On this animal we notice two figures, apparently of ladies. The bodice of the lady riding in front is very striking on account of its collar and breast bands. She is holding a disk (a shield?) in her left hand, while in her right hand is either a sword or a goad for urging on the elephant. The lady behind her is holding a sword (or a dagger) in her right hand, with the point of the weapon downward. Below the figures of these two ladies, two male figures may be made out, probably of attendants. One of them is dressed in a long coat with tight sleeves. The cloth of the coat has a circular design on it.