KALADGI SERIES. 107 



really formed by the sliding of the front of the cliffs, the slip was probably 

 due to the presence of some softer thin shaley bed which w^as acted upon 

 by springs, and the superincumbent masses moved down the slope impelled 

 by their own weight. These great chasms serve as the inner approaches 

 to the upper parts of both forts. One of the principal of those in the 

 north hill is shown in the annexed view (Plate VI) sketched from the 

 most easterly of the cave-temples cut into the face of the southern cliff. 

 This temple is apparently of Buddhist origin, the figures carved in great 

 number on the walls and pillars being all or very nearly all figures of 

 Buddha in various positions. The other three cave-temples are unquestion- 

 ably of Jain origin and well worth visiting, as they contain many very 

 spirited groups of figures.* 



The gritty beds which form the top of the plateau are admirably 

 displayed along the path leading from Badami to Nandikesur (Nun- 

 deekesur) in the Malprabha valley, past the very picturesque old Jain 

 temple of Magandi, within the precincts of which rises a very fine 

 spring. 



The gritty beds show very extensive false bedding, so much so that 

 the actual lie of the beds is locally very difficult to make out. Beds 

 of similar character and the unquestionable extension of the Badami 

 set occur to the west-north-west and north, e. g., at Alludkatti, 

 Karadigudda (Kureedeegooda) , Belgiri, Hudgal, Kuteni Keri (Kootenee 

 Kehree), and Rugkapur. Further west the character of the beds becomes 

 more sandy or even shaley. 



North-east of the Badami plateau, the beds being more frequently 

 disturbed and upturned, quartzites are more largely met with. About a 



* They have been briefly described in a work by James Bird, Esq., M. H. A. S., &c-' 

 called Historical Researches on the origin and principles of the Buddha and Jaina religions, 

 illustrated by descriptive accounts of the caves of Western India, &c. Bombay, 184 7 

 Mr. Bird gives A. D. 933 as the date of these caves. Some of the statues show a great 

 deal of spirit and boldness in their attitudes. 



{ 107 ) 



