Prelims 2013 · Art and Culture · Question 54
With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
- The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
- The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
- At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer
3 only
1. Badami caves — Incorrect. The Badami caves are 6th century CE Chalukyan caves, not the oldest in India; earlier surviving rock-cut caves include the Barabar caves of the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE).
2. Barabar caves — Incorrect. These caves were indeed made for the Ajivikas, but they were mainly excavated under Emperor Ashoka and later his grandson Dasharatha, not Chandragupta Maurya.
3. Ellora caves — Correct. Ellora has rock-cut caves belonging to Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions, showing patronage to different faiths.
Therefore, only statement 3 is correct.