Cave Architecture MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Cave Architecture - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Charanadri Hills.

Key Points

• Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located in Charanadri Hills, Aurangabad district of Maharastra.
• There are over 100 caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to the public.
• It is one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple cave complexes in the world, with artwork dating from the period 600–1000 CE.
• Cave 16 features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailash temple, a chariot-shaped monument dedicated to the god Shiva. 
• All of the Ellora monuments were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• These consist of 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist, and 5 Jain caves.

Additional Information

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

The correct answer is Dr. Vishnudhar Vakankar.

Key Points

Bhimbetka rock shelters:

• Bhimbetka rock shelters, series of natural rock shelters in the foothills of the Vindhya Range, central India.
• They are situated some 28 miles (45 km) south of Bhopal, in west-central Madhya Pradesh state.
• Dr Vishnudhar Vakankar (one of the most renowned archaeologists), discovered these caves in 1957. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The complex consists of some 700 shelters and is one of the largest repositories of prehistoric art in India.
• The shelters were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003. The complex is surrounded by the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Paintings in Bhimbetka:

• The paintings, which display great vitality and narrative skill, are categorized into different prehistoric periods.
• The oldest is dated to the Late Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age) and consists of large linear representations of rhinoceroses and bears.
• Paintings from Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) times are smaller and portray, in addition to animals, human activities.
• Drawings from the Chalcolithic Period (early Bronze Age) showcase the early humans’ conceptions of agriculture.
• Finally, the decorative paintings dating to early historical times depict religious motifs, including tree gods and magical sky chariots. 

The correct answer is Odisha.

Key Points

• Udayagiri and Khandagiri are Located in Bhuvneshvar, Odisha.
• Built by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty, widely regarded as the most powerful king in the annals of the history of Odisha. 
• These ancient rocks cut caves were first discovered by a young British Officer Andrew Sterling in the 19th century AD.
• Eighteen caves are located in the Udaygiri hill and fifteen in the Khandagiri hill.
• The major Udaygiri caves are:-
  • Hathigumpha.
  • The Rani Gumpha.
  • The Ganesh Gumpha.
  • The VyagharaGumpha.

Important Points

• Important Caves
  • Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra.
  • Badami, Karnataka.
  • Tabo, Himachal Pradesh.
  • Krem Liat Prah, Meghalaya.
  • The Mystery Of Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple Uttarakhand.

The correct answer is - Nahapana

Key Points

• Nahapana
  • The Karle cave complex, located in Maharashtra, is a famous example of early Buddhist architecture.
  • It was constructed during the reign of the Western Kshatrapas, under the rule of Nahapana, who was one of the prominent rulers of the dynasty.
  • Nahapana is known to have patronized Buddhist sites, contributing significantly to the development of cave architecture.
  • Inscriptions in the caves attribute the construction and donations to Nahapana and his associates.

Additional Information

• Karle Cave Complex
  • The Karle caves are part of the rock-cut Buddhist caves in India, showcasing intricate carvings and stupas.
  • They are renowned for their chaitya hall, which is one of the largest and most well-preserved examples of its kind.
  • The caves date back to the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE, representing the early phase of Buddhist art and architecture.
• Western Kshatrapas Dynasty
  • The Western Kshatrapas were Indo-Scythian rulers who controlled parts of western and central India during the early centuries CE.
  • Nahapana was one of the most notable rulers of this dynasty, known for his administrative and architectural contributions.
  • Historical evidence, including coins and inscriptions, highlights their influence on trade and culture during this period.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• Ajanta caves are entirely Buddhist, consisting of Hinayana and Mahayana phases of Buddhist art and architecture.
• Ellora caves are a mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain caves. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Ajanta (200 BC-650 AD) predates Ellora (6th-11th century AD) by several centuries. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
• Both Ajanta and Ellora caves have been included under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme aimed at promoting thematic tourism circuits. Hence, Statement 3 is correct

Additional Information

• Ajanta Caves: 
  • Located in Maharashtra, known for exquisite Buddhist murals and sculptures.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Caves were primarily monastic and used for prayer, meditation, and residence.
• Ellora Caves:
  • ​Reflects religious harmony—with Buddhist (12 caves), Hindu (17 caves), and Jain (5 caves) temples.
  • Also in Maharashtra, known for architectural marvels like Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) carved out of a single rock.
• The Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tourism launched in 2014–15 to promote integrated theme-based tourism circuits.

The correct answer is Shiva.

Key Points

• Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
• The 'City of Caves', on an island in the Sea of Oman close to Bombay, contains a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva.
• The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley.
• The Elephanta Caves are considered to be a contribution by the Kalachuris and the latest rules to contribute were the Rashtrakutas.

The correct answer is Odisha.

Key Points

• Udayagiri and Khandagiri are Located in Bhuvneshvar, Odisha.
• Built by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty, widely regarded as the most powerful king in the annals of the history of Odisha. 
• These ancient rocks cut caves were first discovered by a young British Officer Andrew Sterling in the 19th century AD.
• Eighteen caves are located in the Udaygiri hill and fifteen in the Khandagiri hill.
• The major Udaygiri caves are:-
  • Hathigumpha.
  • The Rani Gumpha.
  • The Ganesh Gumpha.
  • The VyagharaGumpha.

Important Points

• Important Caves
  • Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra.
  • Badami, Karnataka.
  • Tabo, Himachal Pradesh.
  • Krem Liat Prah, Meghalaya.
  • The Mystery Of Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple Uttarakhand.

The correct answer is Karnataka.

Key Points

• Ravan Phadi cave is located in Aihole, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India.
• This site is renowned for its historic temples and structures from the early Chalukya dynasty, which ruled the region from the 6th to the 12th centuries.
• The Ravan Phadi cave is a notable example of early Chalukya architecture, featuring intricate rock-cut sculptures and carvings.

Additional Information

• Tamil Nadu:
  • It is located in the southernmost part of India, Tamil Nadu is known for its Dravidian-style Hindu temples.
  • The state has a rich history of empires such as the Chola, Pallava, Pandya, and Chera. 
• Kerala:
  • This southwestern Indian state is known for its scenic beauty including its backwaters, palm-lined beaches, and a network of canals.
  • In addition, it has a rich cultural heritage with its own unique architecture and temple designs, often associated with the ancient Chera Empire and later feudal kingdoms.
• Andhra Pradesh:
  • It is Located in southeastern India, Andhra Pradesh has a history that dates back to the Vedic period.
  • It has been ruled by several major Indian dynasties such as the Maurya, Satavahana, and Chalukya. 
• Karnataka:
  • It is Located in the southwestern region of India, Karnataka was home to some of India's most powerful empires, such as the Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara.
  • The Ravan Phadi cave, an example of early Chalukya architecture, is located in Aihole in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka.

The correct answer is Ashoka.

• Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli was created during Ashoka's reign (272-231 BC). Hence option 2 is correct.

Important Points

• Dhauli is located in the ancient territory of Kalinga, now the state of Orissa, which the emperor Ashoka Maurya (reigned 272-231 BC) conquered with an appalling loss of life in about 260 BC.
• Thereafter Ashoka repented of the violence which he had done and converted to Buddhism.
• He expressed his remorse, and his intention to govern the kingdom according to the principles of his new faith, in a series of rock-cut edicts that he ordered to be inscribed on over a 100 monuments throughout his vast kingdom.

The correct answer is Charanadri Hills.

Key Points

• Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located in Charanadri Hills, Aurangabad district of Maharastra.
• There are over 100 caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to the public.
• It is one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple cave complexes in the world, with artwork dating from the period 600–1000 CE.
• Cave 16 features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailash temple, a chariot-shaped monument dedicated to the god Shiva. 
• All of the Ellora monuments were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• These consist of 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist, and 5 Jain caves.

Additional Information

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

The correct answer is Gujarat.
Key Points

• Talaja caves are located in the Bhavnagar district of Gujrat
• The caves are around 2000 years old
• The cave's average height is 19 meters,(62feet 

Additional Information

• The Talaja caves are  a combination of 30 caves                               
• The rock was carved according to the Jain and Buddhist culture        
• The  Krem Liat Prah (Meghalaya) is the longest cave in India

Important Point

Important caves in India

• The Barabar hills cave is The oldest cave in (BIHAR) India
• Son Doong is the largest cave in The world and is located in central Vietnam​​

The correct answer is Ellora.

Key Points

• Ellora is a famous cave located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India.
  • It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
  • Designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1983.
  • It is the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world.
  • The popular depiction named ‘Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash’ is depicted in Ellora caves.
  • It is one of the largest rock-cut temple cave complexes in the world.
  • It is famous for Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments and artwork.
  • The name Ellora is the short form of the ancient name Elapura.
  • The best-known inscription in Ellora cave is done by Rashtrakuta Dantidurga.

Additional Information

Important PointsThe current name of Aurangabad is Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The Maharashtra government renamed Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2022, and the Union Home Ministry approved the change in February 2023. The Bombay High Court upheld the name change in May 2024, and the Supreme Court dismissed a petition against the High Court's order in July 2024.

The Correct Answer is Hindu, Buddhist and Jain.

• The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora are Hindu, Buddhist and Jain.

Key Points

• Ellora, built by Rashtrakutas is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. 
• It is one of the World Heritage Sites. It is well known for its monumental caves. 
• 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu Caves (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain caves (caves 30–34).
• These caves were built in proximity and demonstrate the religious harmony prevalently during this period of Indian history.
• The Kailasha or Kailashanatha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at the Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, India.
• It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600–1000 CE period

Additional Information

• The five Jain caves at Ellora belong to the ninth and tenth centuries.
  • They all belong to the Digambara sect.
• Twelve Buddhist caves were built during the 5th-7th century.
• Most popular of the Buddhist caves is Cave number 10, a Chaitya hall (chandrashala) or 'Vishvakarma cave', popularly known as the Carpenter's Cave. 
• Dashavatara cave (Cave 15) at Ellora depicts the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu.
• There is the Rameshvara Cave (Cave 21) and Dhumar Lena Cave (Cave 29).
• There are total seventeen caves at Ellora that belong Hindu religion. They are numbered from thirteen to twenty-nine and date back to somewhere between 600 AD and 875 AD.

The correct answer is Maharashtra.

Key Points

• Kanheri Caves:
  • The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments.
  • They contain Buddhist sculptures and relief carvings, paintings, and inscriptions, dating from the 1st century CE to the 10th century CE. 
  • Location: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Additional Information

• Important caves:

  Cave	Location
  Ajanta Caves	Maharashtra
  Ellora Caves
  Elephanta Caves
  Karla Caves
  Bagh Caves	Madhya Pradesh
  Bhimbetka Caves
  Udayagiri caves
  Udaygiri & Khandagiri Caves	Odisha
  Badami Caves	Karnataka
  Varaha Caves	Tamil Nadu

The correct answer is Barabar Caves.

Key Points

• Between second century BC and first millennium AD, Rock-cut architecture had become the key feature of Indian architecture.
• Barabar Caves are present in Jehanabad District of Bihar.
• The roots of this architecture are found in Maurya era. The Mauryan caves were made for Ajivika, Buddhists, Jains as well as the Hindu religions.
• The first example of rock-cut architecture seems to be a small cave called Son Bhandar at Rajgir.
• This is considered to be the site of first Buddhist council and therefore may be from Pre-Mauryan times.
• This cave has an oblong chamber with a crudely vaulted roof and square undecorated doorway.