The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :

(a) A joyous folk dance ✓ UPSC's answer
(b) Buddha in a meditative pose
(c) The depiction of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha
(d) Samudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean)

Why the answer is (a)

• The Bagh Caves (Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh) are Buddhist rock-cut caves of the 5th–7th century, famous for murals in the Ajanta tradition.

• Their best-known panel, from Cave 4 (Rang Mahal), shows the Hallisa-lasya — a circular group dance of women with a male dancer in the centre, accompanied by musicians.

• It is a secular, festive scene, which is why Bagh is cited for depicting everyday and courtly life rather than only religious themes.

• It is not a meditating Buddha, a Shaiva scene or the Samudramanthan; Bagh's patronage was Buddhist and the mural is of a folk dance.

• The panel is often compared with Ajanta's court scenes as evidence of Gupta-period painting.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Buddha in a meditative pose: The Hallisa-lasya panel is a dance scene, not an image of the Buddha.
(c) The depiction of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha: Bagh is a Buddhist site; the panel has no Shaiva subject.
(d) Samudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean): Samudramanthan is a Puranic theme not depicted in the Bagh murals.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.