Ajanta caves are one of the oldest archaeological sites in India. Interestingly, it wasn't re-discovered until early 19th Century. Ajanta caves were buried under the dense forest, until 1819 when a troop of British officers-out for hunting- stumbled upon this marvelous construction. It was Captain John Smith of the Madras regiment of the British army who noticed the caves first. It was from this point, up in the mountain that John Smith first noticed these caves which were tucked inside a horse shoe shaped cliff of a volcanic mountain. John smith did an expedition to the caves.
On the 13th pillar inside the cave 10, he scratched his name across an ancient painting of Buddha. One can still read it - "John Smith, 28th Cavalry, 28th April, 1819”. When John Smith and troop initially discovered Ajanta, all the caves were covered in 3-4 feet debris. So, This graffiti is located well above the eye level - around 7feet high.
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| Ajanta caves from a distant view point |
On the 13th pillar inside the cave 10, he scratched his name across an ancient painting of Buddha. One can still read it - "John Smith, 28th Cavalry, 28th April, 1819”. When John Smith and troop initially discovered Ajanta, all the caves were covered in 3-4 feet debris. So, This graffiti is located well above the eye level - around 7feet high.
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