Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c17.42

v4.c17.42

Buddhabhadra evidently followed in the footsteps of *Sthavira* Muni Achala in building the cave-temple. Verse 6 of the inscription states that Achala had built a similar *śaila-gṛiha* (rock dwelling) of the Lord Buddha. Achala has been identified with A-chê-lo mentioned by the celebrated Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang,² who visited India between A.D. 621 and A.D. 645. From his description it appears that Achala’s work, at the time when he saw it, was already of a long past date.