UPSC Prelims 2017 Q69: Art & Culture – Painting & Visual Arts
The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft - illustrated
paintings at
- (a) Ajanta
- (b) Badami
- (c) Bagh
- (d) Ellora
Answer: (a) Ajanta
Explanation
Bodhisattva Padmapani
The painting is in Cave 1 at Ajanta, Maharashtra.
It shows the Bodhisattva holding a lotus (padma), with a calm, downcast face.
Vajrapani is painted on the other side of the shrine door.
| Site | State | Period | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Ajanta | Maharashtra | Vakataka phase, 5th century | Padmapani, Vajrapani, Jataka scenes |
| (b) Badami | Karnataka | Chalukya, 6th century | Early Brahmanical cave paintings |
| (c) Bagh | Madhya Pradesh | Gupta period | Murals close to Ajanta in style |
| (d) Ellora | Maharashtra | Rashtrakuta period | Paintings in the Kailasa temple |
Ajanta has Buddhist caves only and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983).
Answer: (a) Ajanta.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Bodhisattva Padmapani painting is in Cave 1 at Ajanta.
- (b) Incorrect. Badami has Chalukya paintings, not the famous Padmapani.
- (c) Incorrect. Bagh has murals of similar style, but Padmapani is at Ajanta.
- (d) Incorrect. Ellora is famous for the Kailasa temple, not for this painting.
Key point
Bodhisattva Padmapani and Vajrapani: Cave 1, Ajanta; Vakataka period (5th century); most famous and oft-illustrated Ajanta paintings.
Remember
Padmapani = Ajanta, Cave 1.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Ajanta (Buddhist, paintings) with Ellora (three religions, sculpture).
- Placing the painting at Bagh, whose style resembles Ajanta.
- Dating it to the Satavahana phase; Cave 1 belongs to the Vakataka phase.
Exam tip
Ajanta = paintings; Ellora = rock-cut sculpture.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — An Introduction to Indian Art, Ch 4 (Later Mural Traditions and Ajanta)
- Archaeological Survey of India — Ajanta Caves