UPSC Prelims 2021 Q49: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage
- (a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
- (b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river.
- (c) Pandu - lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada river.
- (d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river.
Answer: (a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
Explanation
Cave/Stupa Sites and Their Rivers
| Option | Site | Actual River |
|---|---|---|
| a) Ajanta Caves - Waghora river gorge | Ajanta (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) | Waghora (Waghur) river gorge - CORRECT |
| b) Sanchi Stupa - Chambal river gorge | Sanchi (Raisen, Madhya Pradesh) | On a hilltop near Betwa river, NOT Chambal |
| c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines - Narmada gorge | Pandu-lena (Nashik) | Trirashmi hills near Godavari, NOT Narmada |
| d) Amaravati Stupa - Godavari gorge | Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) | On banks of Krishna river, NOT Godavari |
Answer: (a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
The Ajanta rock-cut Buddhist caves (2nd c. BCE to 6th c. CE) are carved into the horseshoe-shaped cliff of the Waghora river gorge in the Sahyadri hills.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Ajanta Caves (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) are rock-cut into the horseshoe-shaped cliff of the WAGHORA RIVER GORGE in the Sahyadri hills. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
- (b) Incorrect. Sanchi Stupa (Raisen, MP) is on a hilltop near the BETWA river, not Chambal.
- (c) Incorrect. Pandu-lena caves (Nashik) are in the Trirashmi hills near the GODAVARI, not Narmada.
- (d) Incorrect. Amaravati Stupa (Andhra Pradesh) is on the banks of the KRISHNA river, not Godavari.
Key point
Ajanta Caves = Waghora river gorge (Aurangabad, Maharashtra). Sanchi = near Betwa. Pandu-lena = near Godavari. Amaravati = on Krishna river. Only pair (a) is correct.
Remember
Ajanta Caves (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) lie in the gorge of the WAGHORA river - carved into the horseshoe-shaped cliff of the Sahyadri hills. Sanchi is near Betwa, Amaravati on Krishna, Pandu-lena near Godavari. Correct answer: (a).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Ajanta with Ellora (both in Aurangabad district but Ellora is not in a river gorge).
- Confusing Amaravati Stupa (Krishna river, Andhra Pradesh) with Amaravati city (also on Krishna, new AP capital).
- Not knowing Sanchi is on a hilltop near Betwa, not in a river gorge.
Exam tip
Cave/stupa river pairs: Ajanta (Waghora), Ellora (near Elgangaraghi stream), Karla-Bhaja (Indrayani), Kanheri (near Mumbai), Pandu-lena/Trirashmi (Godavari), Sanchi (near Betwa hilltop), Amaravati (Krishna), Nagarjunakonda (Krishna).
Sources
- Archaeological Survey of India - Ajanta Caves Site Report
- UNESCO World Heritage List - Ajanta Caves