BY DK. BERNCASTLE. 181 



date can reach so high as the first centuries of our era. He also 

 states that it appears quite evident that the Buddhists were the 

 earliest cave-diggers, and that it is not difficult to trace the 

 connection of the whole series from " the earliest abode of Buddha 

 ascetics " at Nagarjuni, to the Kylas at Ellora. As far as our 

 knowledge of the cave temples of India extends, the whole may be 

 classified under the following heads : 



First, Vihara, or Monastery Caves. 1st, The first sub- 

 division of this class consists of natural caverns, or caves, 

 slightly improved by art ; they are, as might be assumed, the 

 most ancient, and are only found appropriated to religious 

 purposes in the older series of Behar and Cuttack ; and though 

 some are found among the western caves, their existence there 

 appears to be quite accidental. 



The second subdivision consists of a verandah opening be- 

 hind into cells for the abode of the priests, but without 

 sanctuaries or images of any sort. 



In the third subdivision of Vihara caves, the last arrangement 

 is further extended by the enlargement of the hall, and the con- 

 sequent necessity of its centre being supported by pillars ; and in 

 this division, besides the cells that surround the hall, there is 

 always a deep recess facing the entrance, in which is generally 

 placed a statue of Buddha, with his usual attendants thus 

 fitting the cave to become not only an abode for the priests, but 

 also a place of worship. 



To this division belong by far the greatest number of Buddhist 

 excavations. The most splendid of these are those of Ajunta, 

 though the Dherwarra, at Ellora, is also fine ; and there are also 

 some good specimens at Salsette and Junir. 



The second class consists of Buddhist Chaitya Caves. These 

 are the temples, or, if I may use the expression, the churches of 

 the series, and one or more of them is attached to every set of 

 caves in the west of India, though none exist in the eastern side. 

 Unlike the Viharas, the plan and arrangement of all these 

 caves is exactly the same ; and, though the details and sculpture 

 vary with the age in which they were executed, some strong 

 religious feeling seems to have attached the Buddhists to one 

 particular form for their places of worship. 



