The ancient art that best described Indian culture is the tradition of mural paintings, particularly the frescoes found in various cave sites across the Indian subcontinent.

The most notable examples of ancient Indian mural paintings can be found in the following locations:

1. Ajanta Caves:
   • The Ajanta Caves in the state of Maharashtra are renowned for their exquisite mural paintings, dating back to the 2nd century BCE to the 7th century CE.
   • These paintings depict scenes from the life of Buddha, as well as stories from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
   • The Ajanta frescoes are known for their vivid colors, dynamic compositions, and intricate details, which showcase the artistic prowess of the ancient Indian painters.
2. Ellora Caves:
   • The Ellora Caves in Maharashtra also contain impressive mural paintings, primarily depicting religious themes and narratives.
   • The paintings at Ellora, dating from the 6th to the 11th century CE, showcase the artistic styles and iconography of various religious traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
3. Bagh Caves:
   • The Bagh Caves in the state of Madhya Pradesh are known for their well-preserved mural paintings, dating back to the 5th-7th century CE.
   • The Bagh frescoes are renowned for their naturalistic depictions of deities, celestial beings, and scenes from everyday life.
4. Sittanavasal Caves:
   • The Sittanavasal Caves in the state of Tamil Nadu contain some of the finest examples of Jain mural paintings, dating back to the 7th-9th century CE.
   • These paintings showcase the Jain religion’s rich iconography and artistic traditions.