Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/225

 CHAP. VI. AJANTA VIHARAS. 191 from Woodcut No. 109 (from a photograph), or from the next woodcut (No. no) representing one of its pillars to a larger scale, from which the curiously wooden construction of the roof will be better observed than from the photograph. It is, in fact, the usual mode of forming flat or terraced roofs at the present day throughout India, and which consequently 109. View in Cave No 17, at Ajanta. (From a Photograph.) does not seem to have varied from the 5th century at all events. As may be gathered from these illustrations, the pillars in these caves are almost indefinitely varied, generally in pairs, but no pillars in any one cave are at all like those in any other. In each cave, however, there is a general harmony of design and of form, which prevents their variety from being unpleasing. The effect, on the contrary, is singularly harmonious and satisfactory. The great interest of these two caves lies,