Q. With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
1. The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rockcut 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 The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor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?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
The correct answer is (b) 2 and 3 only.
Statement 1: The caves at Badami are not the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India. The earliest surviving rock-cut caves in India are the Ajanta Caves, which date back to the 2nd century BCE.
Statement 2: The Barabar rock-cut caves were indeed originally made for Ajivikas, but they were not commissioned by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. These caves were created during the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
Statement 3: At Ellora, caves were indeed made for different faiths. The Ellora Caves, located in Maharashtra, India, consist of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain rock-cut temples and monasteries. They were created between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making option (b) the correct answer.
