An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s12.t2.6

v1.c19.s12.t2.6

A gradual increase in the monastic population may also be noticed on the w. coast. For instance Junnar has 140 caves of which 131 are *vihāras*. Similarly out of 112 caves at Kanheri 107 were meant exclusively for residence. This influx might have begun in the 5th century, when the Vākāṭakas and the Guptas held sway over different parts of India. In most of these establishments a square image-shrine was integrated with monk-cells arrayed on either side, and with these was generally associated a fine tradition of sculptural art and murals. The later caves of Ajanta and the excavations at Aurangabad, Ellora and Bagh belong to this period.