Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0007 Pictures From History » CPA0003034

India: Mural at the Ajanta Caves showing two women, possibly a princess and maidservant, 5th - 7th century CE

India: Mural at the Ajanta Caves showing two women, possibly a princess and maidservant, 5th - 7th century CE

The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, India are 31 rock-cut cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE. The caves include paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art (which depict the Jataka tales) as well as frescos which are reminiscent of the Sigiriya paintings in Sri Lanka.

The caves were built in two phases starting around 200 BCE, with the second group of caves built around 600 CE. Since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves are located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, just outside the village of Ajinṭhā in Aurangabad district.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: