The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c16.s2.12

v2.c16.s2.12

The subject on the right wall of cave X marks an important stage in the history of the painting of the Deccan, because this form of the art, as regards both the representation of racial types in human figures, and the technique and material of the painting itself, is essentially indigenous and is not dominated by any alien influences, even from as near as Northern India. About the close of the third century A.D. the Āndhras, the then rulers of the country, were overthrown and succeeded by the Vākāṭakas, who hailed from the territory north of the Deccan and had matrimonial relations with the Guptas. During their administration of some two hundred years Buddhism flourished in the Deccan, but in dogma as well as ritual it was much influenced by the co-existing Brāhmanic faith throughout this period.