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Genisis Of Rock Cut Architecture.. Ajanta Caves.

The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India are thirty rock-cut cave

monuments which date from the 2nd century. The caves include paintings and sculptures

considered to be masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. The caves were built in two phases

starting around 200 BC, with the second group of caves built around 600 AD. Ajanta caves

are excavated in a horse shoe shaped rock surface. There are in total thorty excavations

found on site, including an unfinished one. Out of the total five cases are chaityagrihas

(halls enclosing teh stupas) while the rest are viharas (buddhist monasteries).

Depending upon the nature and mineralogical content of the lava flow, the rock formations

varied in character and texture, giving rise to various qualities like coarse grained, fine

grained formations. Fine grained texture offered higher structural stability and ease in

carving the rock surface. The ancient builders at Ajanta, chose the fine grained formations

of the Deccan trap, ideal for sculpting and rock hewing. In addition to this, they also traced

the horizontal and vertical joints in the rock formation which were created by the earlier

volcanic eruptions. Also, basaltic rock is soft during the initial excavation and hardens on

exposure to environment.

To begin with excavation the layout was first marked on the rock-face and the rock-cutting

started from the top and continued downwards towards the floor. The facade-doorway and

the verandah were dug out first and then the interior portions like the central hall,

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antechamber and cells were excavated. In the two or three-tier caves, cutting of rock started

from the topmost tier. A sharp pick-axe was used to make deep incision into the rock

followed by breaking of the intervening rock mass till the floor was reached. Solid columns

of rocks were left as supports, wherever necessary. The finishing and carving were then

done by a hammer and chisel.

the rock cut architecture is imitating elements from wooden architecture, but structural

elements like beans columns bear no load.

Colors used for the wall paintings were made from pebbles and vegetable found on the

hillside. Pebbles of different colors were crushed and ground and the mixed with glue. To

make the paintings now, a layer of clay was mixed with cow dung and powdered rice hunk.

This was first applied to the chipped rock surface. When it dries, a second coat of lime

plaster was a trowel. The lines were then drawn in pink, brown or black; the colors were

filled in with big brushes, made from the hair of squirrels tail.