Ajanta: The end of the Golden AgeThe twenty-nine Buddhist caves near Ajanta form a devotional complex which ranks as one of the world's most startling achievements, created at the very apogee of India's Golden Age. "Ajanta: History and Development," appears as part of the series Handbook of Oriental Studies, present the reader with a systematic treatment of all aspects of the site, the result of forty years of painstaking research "in situ" by Walter M. Spink. Volume one deals with the historical context in which this dramatic burst of pious activity took place under the reign of Vakataka emperor Harisena, (c. 460 - 477 A.D.), and with the sudden halt of activity almost immediately following the death of the emperor. In surprising detail the relative and absolute chronology of the site can be established from a careful reading of the physical evidence, with consequences for our dating of India's Golden Age. Ajanta, it appears, is a veritable illustrated history of Harisena's times, crowded with information on its history, development and how it was used. |
Contents
The Historicity of | 119 |
A Revised Vakataka Chronology | 163 |
Dandins Visrutacarita and the Future | 169 |
Family Relationships bearing upon Ajantas | 179 |
Its Origins and its Aftermath | 184 |
A Review | 200 |
The Asmaka | 272 |
Caves Abandoned at the Time of Harisenas Death | 315 |
Related Caves of the Vakatakas or their | 325 |
The Need for Study in Situ Esp | 366 |
Visrutacarita of Dandins Daakumàracarita | 393 |
Inscriptions 16 17 26 Ghatotkacha | 412 |
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Common terms and phrases
abandoned added Ajanta allow already antechamber appears Asmaka assume Bagh Buddha images Buddhabhadra carved Cave 17 Cave 26 ceiling cells century Chapter clear clearly close completed connection consistent continued course decoration dedicated discussion donors door doorway earlier early emperor evidence excavation expected explain fact figures finally finished fitted forms front going hall Harisena’s Harisena’s death holes inscription intrusive involved king late later least less Lower minister mode monks never once original painted panels particularly patronage patrons perhaps Period of Disruption pillars planned plastered porch possible prince probably rear reason Recession region reign remained residence revealed rule rush sculptor seems shrine side single site’s space started suggests surely tion took unfinished Upper Vakataka various verse vihara Visrutacarita Volume wall whole worship