RAS question
The Ajanta Caves are famous for:
Correct answer: (D) Buddhist paintings and sculptures.
The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra are famous for Buddhist paintings and sculptures.
Explanation
Ajanta is best identified with Buddhist paintings and sculptures because NCERT describes it as the most famous cave site, located in Maharashtra, with large chaitya-viharas decorated with sculptures and paintings. These works span from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE, depict Jataka tales and the Buddha's life, and make Ajanta a UNESCO World Heritage Site. NCERT also notes that Ajanta preserves paintings from the early and later phases, while its chaitya caves and shrines contain Buddha and Bodhisattva images. That combination of Buddhist narrative painting and sculptural imagery is why option D, not a generic cave-temple label, captures Ajanta's standard historical significance.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Hindu cave temples do not identify Ajanta; Ajanta belongs to a Buddhist artistic context, while Hindu cave temples are more prominent at Elephanta and Ellora.
- (B) Rock-cut Jain temples are associated with sites such as Ellora and Udayagiri-Khandagiri, whereas Ajanta is described here through Buddhist paintings, sculptures and Buddha images.
- (C) Ashoka's rock edicts are not the defining feature of Ajanta; NCERT points instead to Buddhist cave art.
Concept
This tests ancient Indian art and architecture, especially the ability to match major cave sites with their religious and artistic traditions. It recurs in RAS because Ajanta, Ellora, Sanchi and related sites are standard anchors for questions on Buddhist art, rock-cut architecture and cultural heritage.