Difference between revisions of "Bagh Caves"
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| − | The Bagh Caves, like those at Ajanta, were excavated by master craftmen on perpendicular sandstone rock face of a hill on the far bank of a seasonal stream, the Baghani. Buddhist in inspiration, of the nine caves, only five have survived. All of them are 'viharas' or monasteries having quadrangular plan. A small chamber, usually at the back, forms the 'chaitya', the prayer hall. Most significant of these five extant caves is the Cave 4, commonly known as the Rang Mahal (Palace of Colors). | + | |
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| + | The [[Bagh Caves]] are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the southern slopes of the [[Vindhyas]] in [[Kukshi tehsil]] of [[Dhar]] district in {{Wiki|Madhya Pradesh}} [[state]] in central [[India]]. | ||
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| + | These monuments are located at a distance of 97 km from [[Dhar]] town. | ||
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| + | These are renowned for mural paintings by [[master]] painters of {{Wiki|ancient India}}. | ||
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| + | The use of the [[word]] "{{Wiki|cave}}" is a bit of a misnomer, since these are not natural, but instead examples of [[Indian]] rock-cut [[architecture]]. | ||
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| + | The [[Bagh Caves]], like those at [[Ajanta]], were excavated by [[master]] craftmen on {{Wiki|perpendicular}} sandstone rock face of a hill on the far bank of a seasonal {{Wiki|stream}}, the [[Baghani]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Buddhist]] in inspiration, of the nine [[caves]], only five have survived. | ||
| + | |||
| + | All of them are '[[viharas]]' or [[monasteries]] having quadrangular plan. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A small chamber, usually at the back, [[forms]] the '[[chaitya]]', the [[prayer]] hall. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Most significant of these five extant [[caves]] is the {{Wiki|Cave}} 4, commonly known as the Rang Mahal (Palace of Colors). | ||
[[File:Bagh_caves.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Bagh_caves.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
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==The paintings== | ==The paintings== | ||
| − | The paintings on the walls and ceilings of the viharas of Bagh, the fragments of which are still visible in Cave 3 and Cave 4 (remnants seen also in Caves 2, 5 and 7), were executed in tempera. The ground prepared was a reddish-brown gritty and thick mud plaster, laid out on the walls and ceilings. Over the plaster, lime-priming was done, on which these paintings were executed. Some of the most beautiful paintings were on the walls of the portico of Cave 4. To prevent further loss of the values of Indian classical art, most paintings were carefully removed in 1982 and today can be seen in Archaeological Museum of Gwalior. | + | The paintings on the walls and ceilings of the [[viharas]] of [[Bagh]], the fragments of which are still [[visible]] in {{Wiki|Cave}} 3 and {{Wiki|Cave}} 4 (remnants seen also in [[Caves]] 2, 5 and 7), were executed in tempera. |
| + | |||
| + | The ground prepared was a reddish-brown gritty and thick mud plaster, laid out on the walls and ceilings. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Over the plaster, lime-priming was done, on which these paintings were executed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some of the most beautiful paintings were on the walls of the portico of {{Wiki|Cave}} 4. | ||
| + | |||
| + | To prevent further loss of the values of [[Indian]] classical [[art]], most paintings were carefully removed in 1982 and today can be seen in {{Wiki|Archaeological}} Museum of Gwalior. | ||
==Date== | ==Date== | ||
| − | A copperplate inscription of Maharaja Subandhu, recording his donation for the repair of the vihara was found at the site of Cave 2. Though, the date of the Bagh inscription is missing, his Badwani copperplate inscription is dated in the year (Gupta era) 167 (487). So the repair of Cave 2 took place in the late 5th century. | + | A copperplate inscription of [[Maharaja]] Subandhu, recording his donation for the repair of the [[vihara]] was found at the site of {{Wiki|Cave}} 2. |
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| + | Though, the date of the [[Bagh]] inscription is missing, his [[Badwani]] copperplate inscription is dated in the year ([[Gupta era]]) 167 (487). So the repair of {{Wiki|Cave}} 2 took place in the late 5th century. | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Caves]] | [[Category:Buddhist Caves]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:05, 9 February 2016
The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the southern slopes of the Vindhyas in Kukshi tehsil of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh state in central India.
These monuments are located at a distance of 97 km from Dhar town.
These are renowned for mural paintings by master painters of ancient India.
The use of the word "cave" is a bit of a misnomer, since these are not natural, but instead examples of Indian rock-cut architecture.
The Bagh Caves, like those at Ajanta, were excavated by master craftmen on perpendicular sandstone rock face of a hill on the far bank of a seasonal stream, the Baghani.
Buddhist in inspiration, of the nine caves, only five have survived.
All of them are 'viharas' or monasteries having quadrangular plan.
A small chamber, usually at the back, forms the 'chaitya', the prayer hall.
Most significant of these five extant caves is the Cave 4, commonly known as the Rang Mahal (Palace of Colors).
The paintings
The paintings on the walls and ceilings of the viharas of Bagh, the fragments of which are still visible in Cave 3 and Cave 4 (remnants seen also in Caves 2, 5 and 7), were executed in tempera.
The ground prepared was a reddish-brown gritty and thick mud plaster, laid out on the walls and ceilings.
Over the plaster, lime-priming was done, on which these paintings were executed.
Some of the most beautiful paintings were on the walls of the portico of Cave 4.
To prevent further loss of the values of Indian classical art, most paintings were carefully removed in 1982 and today can be seen in Archaeological Museum of Gwalior.
Date
A copperplate inscription of Maharaja Subandhu, recording his donation for the repair of the vihara was found at the site of Cave 2.
Though, the date of the Bagh inscription is missing, his Badwani copperplate inscription is dated in the year (Gupta era) 167 (487). So the repair of Cave 2 took place in the late 5th century.
