Evolution and development of cave painting

Published on 12 Oct 2025

Cave paintings in India have their origin during the later palaeolithic phase period and over centuries evolved itself to accommodate newer and better features which enhanced their quality and durability. 

• Prehistoric period:

• Upper Paleolithic phase: Paintings usually explored social life and hunting with figures being more crude. Images of animals in red, green and white colour.

• Example: Paintings in Bhimbetka caves

• Mesolithic phase: Size of the painting became smaller and hunting scenes became predominant. 

• Example: Paintings in Vindhyan ranges of Madhya Pradesh

• Chalcolithic period: Use of green and yellow colours became prominent during this period with the depiction of battle scenes and men riding on elephants.

• Example: Paintings in Narsinghgarh caves in Madhya Pradesh, Jogimara caves in Chhattisgarh.

• Historic period

• Pre-Buddhist caves: The paintings of these caves were more social than religious which revolved around human figures and animals.

• Example: Jogimara cave has white plastered walls with figures of fish and elephants.

• Ajanta caves: The fresco paintings were exclusively of Buddhist origin and gave focus to the centrality of image and ornamentation.

• Example: The painting of Padmapani in Cave 1

• Bagh caves: Developed during the Guptan era, these are more materialistic, secular and earthly than the Ajanta paintings. Use of the tempera technique facilitated faster drying.

• Example: The Rang Mahal cave has paintings exploring Buddhist themes.

• Later period / Post Guptan period

• Ellora caves: The paintings of these caves are more secular with themes exploring elements of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.

• Example: Paintings of Vishnu and Lakshmi borne through the clouds by Garuda.

• Badami caves: These depict one of the earliest Brahminical paintings which were more sensitive in texture and expression when compared to Ajanta and Bagh paintings

• Example: Image of Vishnu in cave 4.

• Sittanavasal caves: Paintings were fresco secco and largely explored Jain themes. The contours of these paintings were firmly drawn dark on a light red background.

Thus caves, over centuries, served as the primary canvas for Indian paintings giving insights into artistic expressions and ancient civilizations. Later the paintings shifted towards paper with the popularization of miniature paintings, but the relevance of cave paintings still remains intact.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Evolution and development of cave painting later palaeolithic phase Prehistoric period Upper Paleolithic phase Bhimbetka caves Mesolithic phase Paintings in Vindhyan range Chalcolithic period Narsinghgarh cave Jogimara cave pre Buddhist caves Ajanta cave Padmapani painting Rang Mahal Bagh cave Gupta era Post Guptan period Ellora cave Buddhism Jainism and Hinduism Bagh paintings Badami cave Sittanavasal caves fresco secco Jain themes

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Art and Architecture