Page:The Rock-cut Temples of India.djvu/239

This page has been validated.

CAVE No. 22.—AJUNTA.


THE Vihara No. 22 is a small Cave, only 17 ft. square, without pillars except two, which are merely rough hewn, in front of the sanctuary. The whole Cave, in fact, has the appearance of having been left unfinished internally, and whatever external decoration it may once have had, is now lost, owing to the façade having fallen down from the decay of the rock in which it was sculptured.

It is now used as a residence, if not by Major Gill himself, at least by his followers, whose portraits are seen in the photograph. Their various ranks and stations will be easily recognised by any one familiar with an Indian household, from the fierce jemadar, who is attitudinizing on the right, to the mehtur boy, who is sitting with his back against the door-jamb on the left.

53