Cave XIX. is a chaitya, 24 feet by 46 feet by 24 feet 4 inches. The chaitya Caves IX. and X. are perfectly plain, whereas this one is elaborately carved throughout. Cave XIX. is in excellent state of preservation, and is one of the most perfect specimens of Buddhist art in India. It is the first example of a chaitya wholly in stone; and from its position and style of architecture, may be placed about the middle of the 6th century. There are two pillars in front, and the nave has fifteen columns. Each pillar is 11 feet high, and consists of a square base 2 feet 7 inches high with small figures in the corners, then an octagonal belt a foot broad, and then a circular shaft with two belts of elaborate tracery, the intervals being in some cases plain, and in others ornamented with perpendicular or spiral flutes. Above the shaft is a deep torus of slight projection between two fillets, wrought with a leaf pattern. Over this is a square tile supporting a bracket capital, richly sculptured with a Buddha in the centre, and elephants or sardulas with two riders on the brackets. Two of the pillars on the left of the dagoba, have representations of musical instruments instead of figures of Buddha in the centre. The architrave consists of two plain fascias; and the entablature is five feet deep. Rich bands of arabesque divide the frieze into compartments in which are figures of Buddha, alternately sitting cross-legged and standing. The dome is more than a semicircle, being 8 feet 4 inches high, while the width of the nave is 12 feet 2 inches. It is ribbed in stone, and a tiger’s head is carved between every fourth or fifth rib. The dagoba is a composite one, with a low pedestal, on the front of which stand two demi-columns, supporting an arch containing a figure of Buddha. A small sculpture of Buddha is on the under part of the capital above the dome; and over the four fillets of the capital, are three umbrellas in stone, one above another, each upheld on four sides by small figures. A bold and carefully carved cornice projects-over the whole facade; and the front is enclosed by a court 33 feet by 30 feet. In this cave, the transformation from wood to stone is complete, and the ribs of the nave, the umbrella over the dagoba, and all the ornaments of the facade are in stone. There is a sculpture of a Naga raja at right angles to the facade of the cave on the left, with the hoods of a seven-headed cobra overshadowing him; while his wife has only one hood behind her. Such figures occur frequently on the doorways and among the paintings at Ajanta. On the other side opposite this image, is a porch with two pilasters in front, which was probably a place of rest for pilgrims. It has a room at each end, 10 feet by 8 feet 4 inches. The capitals of the pillars in front are richly wrought with bunches of mangoes in the corners, and clusters of grapes in the middle of each capital. The upper portions have a grotesque face on each side, and small dwarfs at the corners. On either side of the great arch is a large male figure with rich headdress. That on the left, holding a bag, is Kubera, the god of wealth. The compartments in the front and sides of the facade are occupied by sitting and standing figures of Buddha. There are many painted Buddhas in the aisles, and a few more with painted dagobas are found on the roof. [The roof of the front aisle contains some exquisite panels, and those of the side aisles are painted in a rich floriated pattern. There are some fragments of painting in the chapel, especially on the roof. ]
