Cave temples at sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, and Badami have captured the imaginations of visitors and religious devotees for centuries. They are notable not just for their antiquity and religious significance but also for the ingenious, sophisticated techniques used to create them. Somewhere between works of architecture and massive sculptures, these Jain, Buddhist, Hindu, and Ajivika temples and monasteries were excavated from the sides of mountains. Because of their enduring nature, they provide rare opportunities for understanding India’s past.

Robert DeCaroli, an art history professor at George Mason University, explores the origins of the rock-cut architectural form in the third century B.C.E. and introduces some of the most important examples created in the following centuries. He examines what is known about the history of these temples and monasteries, how they were made, what was required to maintain them in antiquity, and how they are being protected today.

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*

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*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.