UPSC Prelims 2013 Q57: Art & Culture – Painting & Visual Arts
Consider the following historical places :
1. Ajanta Caves
2. Lepakshi Temple
3. Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) None
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Places known for mural paintings
A mural is a painting done directly on a wall or ceiling.
| Place | Known for murals? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ajanta Caves | Yes | Buddhist murals of the Jataka tales; Maharashtra |
| 2. Lepakshi Temple | Yes | Vijayanagara murals on the ceiling of the Veerabhadra temple; Andhra Pradesh |
| 3. Sanchi Stupa | No | Famous for stone carving on its gateways (toranas), not for paintings |
Other mural sites of India:
| Site | State | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Bagh caves | Madhya Pradesh | Gupta |
| Sittanavasal | Tamil Nadu | Jain; Pandya |
| Badami | Karnataka | Chalukya |
| Brihadeshwara, Thanjavur | Tamil Nadu | Chola |
| Mattancherry Palace | Kerala | 16th century onwards |
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Lepakshi Temple is also known for mural paintings.
- (b) CORRECT. Ajanta and Lepakshi are known for mural paintings.
- (c) Incorrect. The Sanchi Stupa is known for sculpture, not murals.
- (d) Incorrect. Two of the three places have murals.
Key point
Mural sites: Ajanta, Bagh, Sittanavasal, Badami, Thanjavur, Lepakshi (Vijayanagara). Sanchi is known for carved gateways.
Remember
Murals: Ajanta and Lepakshi; not Sanchi.
Common mistakes
- Adding Sanchi because it is a famous Buddhist site.
- Not knowing Lepakshi and its Vijayanagara murals.
- Confusing murals (on walls) with miniatures (on paper).
Exam tip
Sanchi = sculpture. Ajanta = painting.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — An Introduction to Indian Art, Ch 5 (Later Mural Traditions)
- Archaeological Survey of India — Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi