Context:
President of India recently visited Udayagiri Caves in Bhubaneswar.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves:
- Earliest examples of rock-cut cave tradition
- Location – Kumari mountain range, Odisha
- Timeperiod – 2nd century BC
- Also known as – Kattaka Caves or Cuttack Caves.
- Built by – King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty
- Mostly carved for Jain monks.
Udayagiri caves:
- Themes of engravings – Mythological and historical themes
- Representation of the Kalinga War is one of the major attractions
- Other features – Hathigumpha inscription, Ganesha cave, Queen’s cave
- Hathigumpha inscription –Carved out in Brahmi script
- Highlight military campaigns undertaken by Kharavela.
- Udayagiri Stupa – Related to Vajrayana Buddhism.
Khandagiri Caves:
- Important attractions – Barabhuji Gumpha, Trushula Gumpha, Ambika Gumpha and Lalatendu Kesari Gumpha
- Lalatendu Kesari Gumpha – Contain reliefs of Jain tirthankars, Mahavira, and Parsvanatha.
- Renovated during the reign of Uddyotakeshari of the Somvanshi dynasty
Source: All India Radio
Previous Year Question
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 The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.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?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. Barabar Caves are the oldest rock-cut caves in India.
Statement 2 is not correct. Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Ashoka.
