UPSC Prelims 2013·GS1·art-and-culture·paintings

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?

Dalvoy logo
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 only
  2. B1 and 2 onlyCorrect
  3. C1, 2 and 3
  4. DNone

Explanation

The correct answer is B) 1 and 2 only. Let's break down why: Ajanta Caves: These caves are world-renowned for their exquisite mural paintings depicting the Jataka tales, which are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. These paintings are a prime example of ancient Indian art. Lepakshi Temple: The Veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its stunning mural paintings on the ceiling, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. These paintings are a significant part of the temple's artistic heritage. Sanchi Stupa: While Sanchi Stupa is incredibly important for its architecture and sculptures (especially the toranas), it is not primarily known for mural paintings. The decorations are largely sculptural and relief work, not painted murals. Early paintings *did* exist, but they are severely damaged and not the defining characteristic of Sanchi. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect because they either include Sanchi incorrectly or exclude Lepakshi.
art-and-culture: Consider the following historical places: 1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepakshi Temple 3. Sanchi Stupa Which of the above places i
ShareWhatsAppXTelegram

Related questions

More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.