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Ajanta Caves

Buddhist cave monuments in Maharashtra, India

The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the second century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state in India. Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Universally regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, the caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotions through gesture, pose and form.

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Timeline
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  • 28 April 1819A British officer named John Smith, of the 28th Cavalry, while hunting tigers was shown the entrance to Cave No.
  • April 1819Cave 10's arch was seen by a British Army officer John Smith, introducing his discovery to the Western audience.
  • 1819Ajanta Caves were discovered and brought to Western attention by Captain John Smith on a tiger-hunting party.
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