Extract of a letter from Captain R. Gill

'Extract of a letter from Captain R. Gill, addressed to Colonel Sykes, dated, Adjuntah (Ajanta), 2 March 1848' in which he writes of his season's work copying over 200 square feet of cave paintings which he has forwarded to the Government. He describes the paintings, their composition, condition and colouring. He also writes of his work in measurement and recording details.

Major Robert Gill was an army officer, antiquarian, painter and photographer in British India. He is best known for his paintings, copying the frescoes of the Ajanta Caves. Gill was the first painter – after their rediscovery in 1819 – to make extensive copies of the Buddhist cave paintings, which mostly date to the 5th century CE. His surviving copies and drawings remain significant in Ajanta studies as the originals have significantly deteriorated since his time.

Major Robert Gill was an army officer, antiquarian, painter and photographer in British India. He is best known for his paintings, copying the frescoes of the Ajanta Caves. Gill was the first painter – after their rediscovery in 1819 – to make extensive copies of the Buddhist cave paintings, which mostly date to the 5th century CE. His surviving copies and drawings remain significant in Ajanta studies as the originals have significantly deteriorated since his time.

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