Final answer:
The subject is History, covering the Ajanta Caves, Bhimbetka rock shelters, and the Gupta Period Mahabodhi Temple in India, which showcases the intricate ancient Indian architecture and art, including paintings and sculptures of Buddha and depictions of ancient culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ajanta Caves, Bhimbetka rock shelters, and the Gupta Period Mahabodhi Temple represent significant historical and cultural achievements in ancient Indian architecture and art. The Ajanta Caves (6.46), located in the Deccan Plateau's dense forest, are famed for their intricate paintings created by over 200 monks and artisans, illustrating the life of Buddha. These remarkable works have stood the test of time due to the site being forgotten and later excavated in the 20th century.
The oldest cave art in India can be seen at the Bhimbetka rock shelters, which date back to 30,000 BCE (2.16). The walls of these caves offer a window into ancient Indian culture, displaying cultural dances and the evolution of art from animal representations to geometric scenes. The vibrant colors used in these paintings come from a mix including hematite, iron oxide, and kaolin, bound with animal fat.
One of the oldest surviving temples in India is the Mahabodhi Temple (7.9), built during the Gupta Period in the 5th or 6th century. Emperor Asoka initiated the establishment of the first structure on this site in the 3rd century BCE, and the current structure stands as a testament to the period's architectural innovation, including motifs like arched temples (6.43) and integration of art and sculpture, as also seen at the Buddhist monastery and Nalanda University (6.44).