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• Art

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• Pre-Historic Age

• Indus Valley Civilization

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• Patna School of Painting

• Rajasthan School of Painting

• Ajanta

• Ellora

• Khajuraho

• Elephanta caves

• Mughal Period

• Gupta Period

• Kamasutra

• Yoga

• Great Indian Artists

• Hindu Gods

• Great western Artists

• Baroque Art

• Renaissance period

• Impressionism

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• Modern Art(19th-20th)

AJANTA(Introduction)

The caves at Ajanta (Maharashtra, 106 km. away from Aurangabad) were cut out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage.

In India the cave architecture is believed to have begun in 3rd century B.C. Ajanta caves were excavated between 200 BC and 650 AD.. Along with Ajanta some of the famous rock-cut caves in India are Elephanta and Ellora, Karle, Bhaja, Kanheri, Gaya, Nashik, Nagarjunikonda, Badami.

The caves were used by Buddhist and Jain monks as places of worship and residence. These caves excavated were not only by Buddhists and jains but by Hindus also.

These different types of caves contain amazing varieties of sculptures, architectural features as well as murals, Ajanta is one of the best example. Here we find the caves in two types- Chaityas and Viharas. Viharas are big monastries of residence. Chaitya hall has a stupa (sometimes contain an image). These caves were hewed out of rock and took several years. These caves are now connected by steps (earlier steps were not provided).

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