Ajanta: Its Place in Buddhist Art

The Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, India, have been a subject of considerable fascination since their discovery by British officers in 1819. These thirty-one rock-cut caves, located along a dramatic ravine above the Waghora River, are known for their intricate Buddhist art spanning several centuries. The caves include monastic dwellings (vihāras) and prayer halls (caitya halls), some elaborately decorated with murals and sculptures. As these caves were carved out of the rock rather than being...