Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/183

 CHAP. V. CHAITYA HALLS AT AJANTA. 149 to the next to be referred to, a little higher up in the rock, however, and is of nearly twice its dimensions. It is 96 ft. 6 in. 71. Interior of Chaitya Cave No, 10 at Ajanta, (From a Sketch by the Author,) in depth by 41 ft. 3 in. in width internally, and 36 ft. high. As may be seen from the annexed view (Woodcut No. 71), the nave is separated from the aisles by a range of thirty- nine plain octagonal shafts, very slightly inclined inwards, but without capitals or bases. The triforium belt is of un- usual height, and was origin- ally plastered and painted. Traces of this can still be seen, though the design cannot be made out (Woodcut No. 72). Like Bhaja and Kondand it had only a wooden or brick front ; but one of the most remarkable characteris- tics of the cave is that it shows what may be regarded as a sign of transition from wood to stone in its architectural details. As at Pitalkhora, the ribs of the aisle are in stone cut in the rock, but copied from the wooden forms of previous examples ; but too much stress should not be laid on this feature. The vault of the nave was adorned 72. Cross-section of Cave No. ip at Ajanta, Scale, about 26 ft. to i in.