UPSC CSE Pre 1994

Rock-cut Religious Architecture

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora represent only:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Ellora is a unique world heritage site where monuments of three major Indian religions were excavated in close proximity, symbolizing religious tolerance.

Explanation The Ellora complex consists of 34 caves: 12 Buddhist caves (1-12), 17 Hindu caves (13-29), and 5 Jain caves (30-34). They were constructed between the 5th and 10th centuries CE, primarily under the Rashtrakuta and Kalachuri dynasties.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Unlike Ajanta (purely Buddhist), Ellora represents all three major indigenous faiths.
Logic 2: The presence of the magnificent Hindu Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) alongside Buddhist monasteries and Jain temples proves its multi-faith character.

Active Recall

Question

What is the most famous structure in the Ellora complex?

Answer

The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), a monolithic structure carved from top to bottom.

Core Insight

Ellora is a physical manifestation of ancient India’s pluralistic social fabric, where different ideologies flourished side-by-side.