Etched on the silent walls of secluded caves, India holds some of the most detailed, artistic and aesthetically pleasing expressions of man’s attempt to express his creative prowess. The cave paintings in India date back to the 2nd century, and these murals, frescoes, and stick drawings encompass a rich historical heritage, making India one of the most historically significant places in the world. Ranging from the Palaeolithic Era to the era of powerful kings and flourishing kingdoms, these ancient cave paintings in India tell stories from beyond the realm of imaginable time.

Ajanta Caves

Home to some of the oldest cave paintings in India, dating back to the 1st century BC, the caves of Ajanta in Aurangabad, Maharashtra offer a captivating glimpse into history. The complex, consisting of 30-odd caves, is full of narratives that depict Buddahism in the bygone era. Portraits of the Buddha, painted in hues of topaz, green and blue, are a figment of artistic imagination that speaks to India’s “Golden Era”. Stories from the local Jataka tales are etched with remarkable precision and detail, rendering each painting a masterpiece.

The earliest paintings at Ajanta can be found in Cave numbers 9 and 10, which depict a king in front of a tree adorned with flags, presumably the Bodhi tree. Each painting showcases some of the most beautiful expressive faces and proportions. From the austere gazes of the Bodhisattvas to the slender-waisted dancing girls, and even a portrait of Buddha’s mother, Maya, these portraits are not only breathtakingly beautiful but also exquisitely detailed art pieces.

Armamalai Cave

Just 25 kilometres away from the bustling hub of Tirupattur lies a world that is frozen in time. This world is the famous Aramamalai cave, which dates back to the 8th century and houses Jain paintings made by the monks who once inhabited them. All the paintings in this cave have been created using either the fresco or the tempera method, where tinted colours were applied over unbaked mud wall paint. These paintings are designated to be representations of medieval art in Indian history. Despite being in ruins due to the vagaries of nature, these famous cave paintings tell stories of how Jainism flourished in the Deccan region and offer a great insight into their way of life.

Bhimbetka Caves

Dating back to the Paleolithic era and the Mesolithic times, the Bhimbetka Caves are among the oldest rock paintings in India. Situated close to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, this magnificent historic site spans over 10 kilometres and houses close to 750 rock shelters which have within them cave paintings and depictions that speak the language of art from bygone eras. These caves depict various daily pursuits such as hunting, dancing, and singing, among others, and they also harbour what is believed to be the oldest petroglyphs in the world. Laced with the mythological tale from which it derives its name, this is the dusty terrain that illuminates history. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bhimbetka Caves are an ode to living history.

Badami Caves

Dating back to the 6th and 8th centuries, the Badami Caves in Karnataka bear testimony to the greatness of the Chalukya kings in their patronage of the arts. The presence of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist murals and paintings within the entire complex abundantly speaks of the tolerance and adaptability enjoyed by the subjects. From the painting of Lord Shiva as the “Natraja” with Parvati and a serpent coiled around in the ceiling of Cave number 1 to the incarnations of Lord Vishnu in Caves 2 and 3, these paintings pay tribute to the Hindu faith in all its aesthetic splendour and glory. Similarly, Cave number 4 houses one of the most pristine and magnificent images of the Jain Lord Mahavira, making this site an exquisite piece of history. The half-closed eyes, fluid forms and delicate contouring of lips, eyes, and faces offer insight into the amazing talent and sublime artistry of the painters from the era.

Adamgarh Caves

Situated in the Hoshangabad district, with the Narmada River as its companion, the Adamgarh Hills offered a safe haven for early humans. It was here, in the year 1932, that 18 rock shelters were discovered, adorned with rock paintings that carry stories of a time seemingly lost in the debris of advancement. These paintings range from scribbles in dark red or ochre of a deer with 12 horns and a horse, to a superimposed figure of an elephant, a dancing peacock, and even a giraffe juxtaposed with depictions of warfare with soldiers on horseback. The rock shelters in Adamgarh reveal untold stories of how early humans navigated their dangerous lives while appreciating the beauty of nature in all its glory. These ancient cave paintings allow us to undertake a journey through time and relive the glory of the past.