UPSC Prelims 2013 Q4: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage
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 The Barabar rock - cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta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?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 3 only
Explanation
History of Indian rock-cut architecture
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India | Incorrect | The oldest are the Barabar caves of Bihar (3rd century BCE); Badami is 6th century CE |
| 2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya | Incorrect | They were made by Ashoka; the nearby Nagarjuni caves by his grandson Dasharatha |
| 3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths | Correct | Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves stand side by side |
Ellora at a glance:
| Group | Caves | Faith |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 12 | 12 | Buddhist |
| 13 to 29 | 17 | Hindu; includes the Kailasa temple (Cave 16) |
| 30 to 34 | 5 | Jain |
The Lomas Rishi cave at Barabar has the famous carved doorway.
Answer: (c) 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Barabar caves, not Badami, are the oldest.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; the Barabar caves were made by Ashoka.
- (c) CORRECT. Only statement 3 is right: Ellora has caves of three faiths.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 2 are false.
Key point
Barabar caves (Bihar): oldest rock-cut caves, by Ashoka for the Ajivikas. Badami: Chalukya, 6th century. Ellora: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain caves.
Remember
Oldest rock-cut caves = Barabar (Ashoka).
Common mistakes
- Naming Chandragupta Maurya instead of Ashoka for Barabar.
- Thinking Badami or Ajanta is the oldest.
- Forgetting that Ajanta is only Buddhist, unlike Ellora.
Exam tip
Barabar = Ashoka = Ajivikas = oldest.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — An Introduction to Indian Art, Ch 3 (Arts of the Mauryan Period)
- Archaeological Survey of India — Barabar Caves and Ellora Caves