UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 28
With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
- The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
- The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
- At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Ellora contains Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut monuments; the other two statements misidentify cave antiquity and patronage.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - Badami caves are sixth-century CE; earlier rock-cut caves survive at Barabar.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - Barabar caves were donated to Ajivikas under Ashoka (and his successor Dasharatha), not Chandragupta Maurya.
Statement/Item 3: Correct - Ellora has caves built for Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes false item 1 and excludes true item 3.
B: Incorrect - includes false item 2.
C: Correct - selects all and only the accurate statements/pairs.
D: Incorrect - includes false items 1, 2.