Restoration work at the neglected Chaturbhuj Temple in Dholpur has led to a major breakthrough in the study of medieval Indian art. After removing centuries of soot and lime-wash from the inner sanctum, conservators revealed extensive mural paintings created using saffron and mineral pigments, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata.
Art historians state these are some of the earliest surviving examples of Gurjara-Pratihara mural art, which was previously thought to be primarily sculptural. The murals are remarkably well-preserved due to the lack of moisture in the region, offering a vivid look at 9th-century courtly attire and ritual practices.