The evolution of the Buddhist Caves of India from the very simple prototypes of the pre-Christian age to the complicated and ornate examples of the Gupta epoch has been set forth by Fergusson and other authors and need not be repeated. The great change in architecture (if we may use this term) and ornamentation exhibited by the later caves is in a large measure due to an all important fact in the history of Buddhist religion and art — the creation of the Buddha image. Whereas in the early caves the central cult object is the stupa or relic monument, we find that ancient emblem now gradually replaced by the effigy of the Master. In the decoration, too, the image of the Buddha becomes more and more prominent, until at last we find that monotonous and senseless repetition of Buddha figures which is so characteristic of later Buddhist art.
