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LOWER PART OF FAÇADE AT CHAITYA No. 26.—AJUNTA.


THOUGH there are some insignificant Caves beyond, the great Chaitya No. 26 terminates the series as worthily at this end as the Vihara No. 1, does at the other.

In general plan it is very similar to No. 19, but its dimensions exceed the former very considerably, the whole width being 36 ft. 3 ins., that of the nave 17 ft. 7 ins., and the total length is 66 ft. 1 in. Its sculptures, too, are far more numerous and more elaborate; indeed, more so than in any other Cave of the series; but they are very inferior both in design and in execution, so much so, that if other proof were wanting, this alone would be sufficient to stamp this at once as one of the latest, if not actually the last executed Cave of Ajunta.

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