Caves & Rock-Cut — Set 6

Correct Answer: B. Maharashtra

• **Maharashtra** = The Karla Caves, housing one of the largest Buddhist Chaityas, are located near Lonavala in Maharashtra. • **37 magnificent pillars** — featured in the grand Chaitya, which is one of India's best-preserved rock-cut structures with a high arched ceiling. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Karnataka': Karla Caves are not located in Karnataka; 'Andhra Pradesh': These caves are not found in Andhra Pradesh; 'Telangana': Karla Caves are not situated in Telangana.

Correct Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh

• **Andhra Pradesh** = The Undavalli Caves, featuring a giant statue of reclining Vishnu, are located near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. • **4th and 5th centuries** — these caves were carved out of solid sandstone during this period and represent early Dravidian rock-cut architecture. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Tamil Nadu': Undavalli Caves are not located in Tamil Nadu; 'Kerala': These caves are not found in Kerala; 'Karnataka': Undavalli Caves are not situated in Karnataka.

Correct Answer: A. Gujarat

• **Gujarat** = The Junagadh Buddhist Caves, a group of ancient rock-cut caves used as monasteries, are located in Gujarat. • **ancient** — these rock-cut caves are significant for understanding the early history of Buddhism in Western India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Rajasthan': Junagadh Buddhist Caves are not located in Rajasthan; 'Maharashtra': These caves are not found in Maharashtra; 'Madhya Pradesh': Junagadh Buddhist Caves are not situated in Madhya Pradesh.

Correct Answer: B. Tamil Nadu

• **Tamil Nadu** = The Sittanavasal Caves, famous for their Jain paintings and architecture, are located in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. • **2nd-century** — this rock-cut monastery is famous for its Jain cave paintings, depicting themes like lotus ponds and animals. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Karnataka': Sittanavasal Caves are not located in Karnataka; 'Andhra Pradesh': These caves are not found in Andhra Pradesh; 'Kerala': Sittanavasal Caves are not situated in Kerala.

Correct Answer: B. Nashik

• **Nashik** = The Pandav Leni Caves, a group of 24 Buddhist caves also known as Nashik Caves, are located near Nashik in Maharashtra. • **24 Buddhist caves** — this group of caves was built between the 1st century BCE and 3rd century CE, primarily serving as monasteries. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Aurangabad': Pandav Leni Caves are not located near Aurangabad; 'Pune': These caves are not found near Pune; 'Mumbai': Pandav Leni Caves are not situated near Mumbai.

Correct Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh

• **Andhra Pradesh** = The Belum Caves, one of the largest natural cave systems in India, are located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. • **second longest cave system** — in the Indian subcontinent, these caves are known for their unique limestone formations and underground water galleries. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Karnataka': Belum Caves are not located in Karnataka; 'Maharashtra': These caves are not found in Maharashtra; 'Tamil Nadu': Belum Caves are not situated in Tamil Nadu.

Correct Answer: A. Maharashtra

• **Maharashtra** = The Bedse Caves, known for their early Buddhist architecture, are situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra. • **early Buddhist architecture** — these caves, though less famous than Karla and Bhaja, are important for understanding Buddhist history. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Gujarat': Bedse Caves are not located in Gujarat; 'Madhya Pradesh': These caves are not found in Madhya Pradesh; 'Karnataka': Bedse Caves are not situated in Karnataka.

Correct Answer: B. Himachal Pradesh

• **Himachal Pradesh** = The Tabo Caves, used by Buddhist monks for meditation, are located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. • **10th-century** — the nearby Tabo Monastery dates to this century, and these caves are still used by monks for retreat during winter months. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Sikkim': Tabo Caves are not located in Sikkim; 'Uttarakhand': These caves are not found in Uttarakhand; 'Arunachal Pradesh': Tabo Caves are not situated in Arunachal Pradesh.

Correct Answer: B. Meghalaya

• **Meghalaya** = The Mawsmai Cave, a popular tourist attraction known for its limestone formations, is located near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. • **longest and deepest natural caves** — Meghalaya, where Mawsmai Cave is located, is home to many of India's such natural caves. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Assam': Mawsmai Cave is not located in Assam; 'Nagaland': These caves are not found in Nagaland; 'Manipur': Mawsmai Cave is not situated in Manipur.

Correct Answer: B. Araku Valley

• **Araku Valley** = The Borra Caves, famous for stalactites and stalagmites, are located in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. • **1807** — these caves, one of India's largest, were discovered by British geologist William King in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Silent Valley': Borra Caves are not located in Silent Valley; 'Kashmir Valley': These caves are not found in Kashmir Valley; 'Doone Valley': Borra Caves are not situated in Doone Valley.