The essentials
Rock-cut architecture is carved out of natural rock rather than built from separate blocks. The earliest important examples are the Barabar caves in Bihar, cut in the Mauryan period and dedicated by Ashoka to the Ajivika sect; their walls have a mirror-like polish, and the Lomas Rishi cave has a carved doorway imitating wooden architecture.
Buddhist caves of western India include chaityas (prayer halls with a stupa at the end) and viharas (monasteries with cells for monks), as at Karle, Bhaja and Ajanta. Ajanta's caves, made between about the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE, are famous for their wall paintings. Ellora has Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves side by side. Its most celebrated monument, the Kailasa temple (Cave 16), was carved under the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century; it was cut from the top downward out of a single rock mass. The Elephanta caves near Mumbai are known for the great three-headed image of Shiva (Maheshamurti).
Monolithic temples are carved as free-standing structures from a single rock. At Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), the Pallavas carved the five rathas (Pancha Rathas) in the 7th century, along with the relief often called Arjuna's Penance or the Descent of the Ganga. The Jain caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri in Odisha are linked with King Kharavela.
Key points
- Chaitya: prayer hall; vihara: monastery.
- Barabar: Mauryan, Ajivika, polished walls.
- Ellora: three religions; Kailasa temple carved from top down.
- Mahabalipuram: Pallava monolithic rathas.
Exam tips
- Remember the dynasty for each: Barabar – Maurya; Kailasa – Rashtrakuta; rathas – Pallava.
Common mistakes
- Saying Ellora is purely Buddhist — it has Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves.
- Thinking the Kailasa temple was built from blocks; it is carved from one rock.