Discovered in 1819 by British soldiers, the 29 artificial Buddhist caves of Antja in India, carved out of hard basalt, contain remarkable paintings and sculptures. The oldest caves date from the 2nd to the 1st century BC.

At its peak, this monastic and university centre was able to provide accommodation for several hundred people, including teachers and students. Since their discovery, the fresco paintings have deteriorated significantly, particularly as a result of mass tourism, but also due to the Hindu counter-reformation that wiped Buddhism from Indian soil. In 1983, the site was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.