Buddhist Monastic Art
Ajanta: Famous Buddhist Cave Temples in India
Ajanta in Maharashtra is the most famous site in India for ancient Buddhist rock-cut cave temples and murals.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XI - An Introduction to Indian Art
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2006
Evidence Source
Link ↗Which of the following places is famous for Buddhist Cave Temples?
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
Indian rock-cut architecture reached its aesthetic peak in the secluded Buddhist monastic retreats where monks combined architecture, sculpture, and painting.
Authentic Source Evidence
Ajanta (Maharashtra) contains 29 rock-cut caves exclusively dedicated to Buddhism. These caves, dating from 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE, house the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian mural painting and sculpture depicting Jataka stories.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"How are the Ajanta caves divided chronologically?"
They are divided into two phases: the early Hinayana phase (symbolic worship) and the later Mahayana phase (idol worship).
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"Ajanta remains the most comprehensive record of the evolution of Buddhist art in the Indian subcontinent over 800 years."
Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)