Here are ten ancient archaeological sites in India that deserve a place on every history enthusiast's travel list. Ajanta Caves — Maharashtra The rock-cut Buddhist viharas and chaityas of Ajanta Caves were built under the patronage of Vakataka king, Harishena Located approximately 100 km northeast of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) in Maharashtra, the world-famous Ajanta Caves comprise 30 numbered rock-cut Buddhist caves excavated into the steep rock face of a horseshoe-shaped gorge overlooking the Waghora River. The caves include chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries). Their excavation began around the 2nd century BCE and continued in a later phase, mainly during the 5th century CE. The magnificent sculptures and exquisite paintings that adorn the Ajanta Caves make them among the most remarkable monuments of ancient Indian art. The murals depict episodes from the life of the Buddha and stories from the Jatakas, which recount his previous births. They als...
Bagh Caves are one of the five new additions to UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage for India. The Bagh caves comprise a group of 9 rock-cut Buddhist caves located on the southern slope of the Vindhyan range at the banks of the Baghni river in western Madhya Pradesh. Painting was a highly developed art in ancient India, as testified by the celebrated cave paintings of Ajanta. The murals at the Bagh Caves provide further evidence of the high artistic achievements of ancient Indian painters. Located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, the Bagh Caves are renowned for their remarkable wall paintings. These caves were developed around the 4th and 6th century CE. Among the notable works of art at Bagh is a painting depicting a procession of elephants. Some experts have considered this painting particularly impressive, even comparing it favourably with the paintings at Ajanta. Bagh caves are the only outcrop of sandstone in an otherwise basaltic region, a significant factor which...