The Cave Temples of India

This 1880 publication is the culmination of pioneering studies of the cave temples and architectural history of India.

James Fergusson (Author), James Burgess (Author)

9781108055529, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 May 2013

664 pages, 171 b/w illus. 1 map
29.7 x 21 x 3.4 cm, 1.56 kg

Born in Scotland, James Fergusson (1808–86) spent ten years as an indigo planter in India, the profits from which allowed him to embark upon a second career as an architectural historian. Although he had no formal training, he became one of the most respected researchers in the field, particularly in Indian architecture. He made numerous trips around India in order to study and document its cave temples, publishing his first book on the subject in 1845. In 1880, he returned to the subject, collaborating with the archaeologist James Burgess (1832–1916) as part of the Archaeological Survey of India. It was Fergusson who first categorized the temples, suggesting that they could be classified through reference to the religious order and function. Illustrated with more than 150 maps, plans and drawings, this work of impressive scope remains of relevance to students of Indian architecture and history.

Preface
Part I. The Eastern Caves: Introduction
1. Barabar group
2. Rajgir
2a. Katak caves
3. Hathi Gumpha
4. Undavilli caves on the Krishna river near Bejwara
5. Mahavallipur, or the seven pagodas
6. Rathas, Mahavallipur
7. The caves, Mahavallipur
Part II. Cave Temples of Western India: 1. Introduction
2. Cave temples etc., in Kathiawar
3. The Buddhist cave temples in the south Konkan
4. The caves in the vicinity of Karle and the Bor Gaht
5. The Junnar cave
6. The Junnar cave (cont.)
7. Nasik caves
8. The Ajanta cave temples
Book II. 1. Later or Mahayana caves at Ajanta
2. Latest caves at Ajanta
3. Kanheri caves
4. The caves of Bagh
4a. The Buddhist caves at Elura
4b. Aurangabad cave temples
Book III. The Brahmanical Caves: 1. Introductory
2. Cave temples at Aihole and Badami in the Dekhan
3. Karusa caves
4. Brahmanical caves in the Dekhan, Mominabad, Poona, etc.
5. Brahmanical cave-temples at Elura
6. Late Brahmanical caves
Book IV. The Jaina Cave-Temples: 1. The Jains and Jinas
2. Jaina cave temples
3. Jaina caves at Elura
4. Jaina cave-temples
Appendix
Index
Plates.

Subject Areas: Archaeology by period / region [HDD]