TY - JOUR N2 - The shrine antechamber is a standard component of the Indian temple architecture. It was originated in the Buddhist context, and the context was the rock-cut architecture of the Deccan and central India. The first antechamber was attempted in circa 125 CE in the Nasik Cave 17. It was patronised by Indrāgnidatta, a yavana , who possibly hailed from Bactria. The second antechamber was created in Bāgh Cave 2 in ca. late 466 CE. The patron remains unknown. The third antechamber was initiated in Ajanta Cave 16 within a few months. It was patronised by Varāhadeva, the Prime Minister of Vākātaka Mahārāj Hari Sena. When the third antechamber was only half excavated, the plan was cancelled by the patron himself due to a sudden threat posed by the Alchon Hūns led by Mahā-Sāhi Khingila. The Nasik antechamber was inspired from Bactria, the Bāgh antechamber was inspired from the parrallels in the Greater Gandhāra region, whereas the Ajanta Cave 16 antechamber was inspired from Bāgh Cave 2. L1 - http://www.czasopisma.pan.pl/Content/117144/PDF/ROrient%2073%20z.%201-20%209SINGH.pdf L2 - http://www.czasopisma.pan.pl/Content/117144 PY - 2020 IS - No 1 EP - 153 DO - 10.24425/ro.2020.134049 KW - Buddhist rock-cut architecture KW - Nasik caves KW - Bagh caves KW - Ajanta caves KW - shrine antechamber KW - central pillar KW - Gandhara KW - Alchon Hun Khingila KW - Vakataka A1 - Singh, Rajesh Kumar PB - The Committee of Oriental Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences and The Publishing House ELIPSA VL - vol. LXXIII DA - 2020.09.21 T1 - The Earliest Two and a Half Shrine-antechambers of India SP - 119 UR - http://www.czasopisma.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/117144 T2 - Rocznik Orientalistyczny/Yearbook of Oriental Studies ER -