UPSC Prelims 2010 Q55: Art & Culture – Painting & Visual Arts
There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India.
One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta
paintings?
- (a) Bagh caves
- (b) Ellora caves
- (c) Lomas Rishi cave
- (d) Nasik caves
Answer: (a) Bagh caves
Explanation
The other surviving Gupta-period cave painting site
Besides the famous Ajanta caves, only one other site preserves Gupta-period cave paintings.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Bagh caves | Correct | The Bagh caves (Madhya Pradesh) are the other recognized site with surviving Gupta-period cave paintings, alongside Ajanta |
| (b) Ellora caves | Incorrect | Ellora's famous art is mostly from a later period, not specifically Gupta-era paintings |
| (c) Lomas Rishi cave | Incorrect | This is known for its rock-cut architecture (Barabar caves, Mauryan era), not Gupta paintings |
| (d) Nasik caves | Incorrect | Nasik caves are known for different rock-cut Buddhist features, not Gupta-period paintings specifically |
Gupta-period cave paintings:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Site 1 | Ajanta caves, Maharashtra |
| Site 2 | Bagh caves, Madhya Pradesh |
| Period | Gupta era, noted for refined artistic style |
Answer: (a) Bagh caves.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Bagh caves are the only other site with surviving Gupta-period cave paintings, besides Ajanta.
- (b) Incorrect. Ellora's notable art is largely from a later period, not specifically Gupta-era paintings.
- (c) Incorrect. Lomas Rishi cave is known for Mauryan-era rock-cut architecture, not Gupta paintings.
- (d) Incorrect. Nasik caves feature different rock-cut Buddhist elements, not Gupta-period paintings.
Key point
The only two known sites of Gupta-period cave paintings are Ajanta (Maharashtra) and the BAGH CAVES (Madhya Pradesh).
Remember
Gupta-period cave paintings survive only at Ajanta and the Bagh caves (Madhya Pradesh).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Ellora's generally later-period art with specifically Gupta-era paintings.
- Mixing up Lomas Rishi's Mauryan rock-cut architecture with Gupta painting sites.
- Not knowing the Bagh caves' specific significance as Ajanta's Gupta-era painting counterpart.
Exam tip
Only two Gupta-period cave painting sites exist: Ajanta and Bagh caves. A specific, often-tested art-history fact.
Sources
- Archaeological Survey of India — Bagh Caves (Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh)
- Archaeological Survey of India — Ajanta Caves (Aurangabad district, Maharashtra)