With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, conside

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 The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.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?

1 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Statement 3 is correct. At Ellora, caves were carved for different religious faiths, specifically Buddhism (caves 1-12), Hinduism (caves 13-29), and Jainism (caves 30-34).
Statement 1 is incorrect. The caves at Badami belong to the 6th century CE (Chalukya period). The oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India are generally considered to be the Barabar Caves, dating back to the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE).
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Barabar rock-cut caves were indeed made for Ajivikas, but they were built by Emperor Ashoka (c. 268-232 BCE) and his successor Dasharatha, who were part of the Maurya dynasty but were not Chandragupta Maurya.
The Ellora Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for their synthesis of three different religious traditions in one complex. The Barabar Caves are located in Bihar and represent some of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India. The Badami Cave Temples in Karnataka are known for their blend of North Indian Nagara and South Indian Dravidian styles.