Photo 1002/1(44)

Genre: Architectural Photography

Described in 'List of Ancient Monuments in Bengal. Revised and corrected up to 31st August 1895' (Calcutta, 1896), p. 318:

'This is similar to the Sudama cave, both in size and arrangements, but the roof is unfinished, while the walls and roof of the Sudama cave are highly polished. The doorways of both caves are of the Egyptian form, but the porch of the Lomas Rishi cave has been enlarged and ornamented, and represents the gable end of a thatched house with a frieze of elephants surrounding the doorway. It is executed in the most artistic manner. Indeed the drawing of the elephants contrasts favourably with the popular modern representations of this animal. General Cunningham is of the opinion that this porch was executed at a later period than the cave itself. There is an inscription in the porch over the doorway of the third or fourth century of the Christian era. It is noteworthy that among the carvings found on the bosses of the pillars of Asoka's railing at Buddha-Gaya there is a similar representation of the gable end of a thatched houses forming the doorway of a cave.'