Page:The Rock-cut Temples of India.djvu/219



T is not easy to make out the design of the two advanced columns in the centre. From what remains we can see that they had not bracket capitals, but were similar to those of the Cave last described (No. 2), but the double frieze of sculpture as carried round them as along the whole façade, binding it together as a whole.

Taking it altogether, this façade is perhaps as pleasing a specimen of design as is to be found in this style of architecture. If the principles on which it is composed are condemned, the whole system falls; but it seems there is an amount of variety combined with sufficient uniformity for architectural purposes, and there is a richness of effect produced by the whole composition, for which it would not be easy to quote a rival in any other building of the same size or pretensions. 48