The correct answer is: Mauryan.
The Barabar Caves are a group of rock-cut caves located in the Makhdumpur hills near Gaya in the Indian state of Bihar. The caves were built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. The caves are notable for their intricate stone carvings and their use of natural rock formations.
The Barabar Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are one of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India. The caves are also an important example of Mauryan art and architecture.
The Barabar Caves are a popular tourist destination. They are located about 100 kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar. The caves are open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
The following are the other options in the question:
- Gupta: The Gupta Empire was an Indian empire that ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE. The Gupta period is considered to be the Golden Age of India. The Guptas were patrons of art, literature, and science.
- Pala: The Pala Empire was an Indian empire that ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from the 8th to the 12th centuries CE. The Palas were patrons of Buddhism.
- Kushana: The Kushan Empire was an empire that ruled over much of Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent from the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE. The Kushans were patrons of Buddhism and Hinduism.
The Barabar Caves are not examples of rock-cut architecture from the Gupta, Pala, or Kushana periods.