The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Ajanta Caves, located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing the zenith of Buddhist rock-cut architecture and painting. The complex consists of approximately 29 caves excavated in a horseshoe-shaped cliff.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The caves at Ajanta are classified into two types: Chaityas (prayer halls with stupas) and Viharas (monasteries or residential halls). The majority of the caves are Viharas, serving as dwelling places for monks. Only a small number (specifically Caves 9, 10, 19, 26, and 29) are Chaityas.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The caves are deep excavations into the rock face, and the interiors are naturally dark. Historical evidence and the placement of the artwork indicate that the paintings were executed under the illumination of torches or oil lamps.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The pigments used for the paintings were derived from natural sources. The colours were made from plants and minerals, such as red and yellow ochre, lime (white), lamp black, and lapis lazuli (blue). These natural ingredients have allowed the colours to remain vivid for centuries.
Key Takeaway:
Ajanta Caves are primarily Buddhist Viharas (monasteries), not Chaityas. The celebrated murals were created using natural pigments (plants and minerals) in dark interiors illuminated by torchlight.