What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? 1. Both were built in the same period. 2. Both belong to the same religious denomination. 3. Both have rock-cut monuments Select the correct answer using the code given below:
UPSC CSE Pre. 2016
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. None
Answer: 3 only
Option b is the correct answer.
Statements 1 and 2 both are incorrect. Ajanta caves date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. Most of the monuments at Mahabalipuram are attributed to 7 th century. The caves at Ajanta are dedicated to Buddhist religion. While, the temples at Mahabalipuram belong to Hindu religion.
Statement 3 is correct. The Caves in Ajanta are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2 nd century BCE to about 480 CE. Mahabalipuram group of monuments there consists of rockcut cave temples, monolithic temples, bas-relief sculptures, and structural temples as well as the excavated remains of temples.