Illustrations of the ROCK-CUT TEMPLES OF INDIA - Paperback

by James Fergusson (Author)

Originally presented as a paper to the Royal Asiatic Society, this 1845 landmark work by James Fergusson provides a critical architectural survey of India's ancient rock-cut temples, including the caves of Ajunta, Ellora, Karli, and Mahavellipore. Fergusson meticulously details the "monastery" (Vihara) and "cathedral" (Chaitya) caves, analyzing their Buddhist, Hindu, and Jaina origins while establishing a chronological framework based on a comparison of stone details with their wooden prototypes. This comprehensive study, supported by plates and ground plans, serves as an essential foundational text for the study of Indian antiquities and the evolution of Eastern architectural styles.