Mauryan Period

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** The caves at Badami (in Karnataka) were built during the 6th–7th centuries CE under the Chalukyas, but they are not the oldest. The oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India are the Barabar Caves in Bihar, dating to the 3rd century BCE (Mauryan period). **Statement 2 is incorrect:** The Barabar Caves were indeed made for the Ajivika sect, but they were constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (and later his grandson Dasaratha), not Chandragupta Maurya. **Statement 3 is correct:** At Ellora, caves were excavated for three different faiths — Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism — reflecting religious harmony during the period (6th to 9th centuries CE).

* **Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli:** This sculpture is believed to have been created by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE (around 272-231 BCE). * **Varaha Image at Udayagiri:** The Varaha image at Udayagiri Caves is estimated to be from the Gupta period, dating back to around the 5th century CE (c. 410 CE). * **Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar:** While the exact date of construction is debated, most scholars believe the Lingaraja Temple originated sometime in the 11th century CE. * **Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram:** The monuments at Mahabalipuram were built over a period by the Pallava dynasty. The earliest structures likely date back to the 7th century CE, with some additions continuing into the 9th century CE. Therefore, based on their estimated creation dates, the Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli is the earliest among the listed options.

**Pair 1 is correctly matched.** Dhauli is located in Odisha. **Pair 2 is correctly matched.** Erragudi or Yerragudi is located in Andhra Pradesh **Pair 3 is incorrectly matched.** Jaugada is located in Odisha. **Pair 4 is incorrectly matched.** Kalsi is located in Uttarakhand.