10 Questions
What do the Ajanta Caves primarily depict?
Buddhist religious art
What purpose did the Ajanta Caves serve in ancient India?
Monsoon retreat for monks and resting site for merchants and pilgrims
When were the Ajanta Caves built?
From the second century BCE to about 480 CE
What are the Ajanta Caves recognized as by UNESCO?
"UNESCO World Heritage Site"
How many rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments are the Ajanta Caves comprised of?
The Ajanta Caves are comprised of 29 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments.
In what two phases were the Ajanta Caves built?
The Ajanta Caves were built in two phases, the first starting around the second century BCE and the second occurring from 400 to 650 CE, according to older accounts, or in a brief period of 460–480 CE according to later scholarship.
Which caves form the largest corpus of surviving ancient Indian wall-paintings at Ajanta?
Caves 1, 2, 16 and 17
What do the Ajanta Caves include that are regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art?
The Ajanta Caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures that are regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
What do the textual records suggest about the purpose of the Ajanta Caves?
Textual records suggest that the Ajanta Caves served as a monsoon retreat for monks, as well as a resting site for merchants and pilgrims in ancient India.
Which caves at Ajanta form the largest corpus of surviving ancient Indian wall-paintings?
Caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 of Ajanta form the largest corpus of surviving ancient Indian wall-paintings.
Study Notes
Ajanta Caves Overview
- The Ajanta Caves primarily depict the life of Buddha and the principles of Buddhism.
- The Ajanta Caves served as a monsoon retreat for Buddhist monks and a center of Buddhist learning in ancient India.
History of Ajanta Caves
- The Ajanta Caves were built in two phases: the first phase dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE, and the second phase from the 5th century to the 6th century CE.
UNESCO Recognition
- The Ajanta Caves are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Composition of Ajanta Caves
- The Ajanta Caves are comprised of 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments.
- Caves 9, 10, 16, 17, and 19 form the largest corpus of surviving ancient Indian wall-paintings at Ajanta.
Masterpieces of Buddhist Art
- The Ajanta Caves include sculptures, paintings, and architectural carvings that are regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
Purpose of Ajanta Caves
- Textual records suggest that the purpose of the Ajanta Caves was to provide a peaceful and secluded environment for Buddhist monks to meditate and learn.
Test your knowledge about the historic Ajanta Caves, a collection of Buddhist cave monuments in India dating from the second century BCE. Learn about the unique rock-cut sculptures and expressive paintings that represent ancient Indian art at its finest.
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