Question

With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:

1. The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.

2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.

3. At ellora, caves were made for different faiths.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : 3 only

The correct answer is 3 only.

BADAMI CAVES:

1. Badami is a town in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka.
2. The caves were constructed in the 6th century by the Chalukya Dynasty in their capital Badami, which was earlier known as Vatapi.
3. The caves significantly represent Indian rock-cut architecture, especially Badami Chalukya architecture.
4. The caves house several Hindu and Jain temples. The Hindu temples are mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and their incarnations.
5. The caves are a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

BARABAR CAVES:

1. The caves are located in the Jehanabad district of Bihar and are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
2. The caves were constructed by Emperor Ashoka and the fact is strengthened by the Ashoka inscriptions engraved on the caves during his reign.
3. The caves were used by the Ajivikas, also the Ashoka inscriptions were engraved on the caves. The Ajivika sect was founded by Makkhali Gosala.

ELLORA CAVES:

1. The caves are located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
2. The caves are complex of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments; and are one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world.
3. More than 100 caves are there at the site and all the monuments were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
4. It was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.