Ajanta: History and Development 3. The Arrival of the Uninvited

The Vakataka patrons fled the devotional complex near Ajanta, India, soon after the dynasty's last emperor Harisena died in 477, and the site was taken over by the Asmakas. After the Asmakas wandered off to make war, patronage ended, and monks and devotees still living in the region began making their offerings. Spink (history, U. of Michigan-Ann Arbor) examines the paintings and sculptures that appeared on and in caves that had already been dedicated by the earlier patrons but, oddly, not in otherwise suitable places where there were no previous images of Buddha. The maps, photographs, index, glossary, and bibliography are deferred to the final volume in the series. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)