Question

Identify the correct sequence of the Rock Cut structures from earlier to later.
(A) Lomas Rishi Cave
(B) Cave No. 10 Ajanta
(C) Ellora Cave No. 16
(D) Reservoir of Dholavira

• A. B, D, A, C
• B. B, A, C, D
• C. A, B, C, D
• D. D, A, B, C

Hint:

Chronology: Mauryan caves (Lomas Rishi) → Ajanta (Buddhist) → Ellora (Hindu/Jain) → Harappan Dholavira (not rock-cut but water structure).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Place them in chronological order.
- Lomas Rishi Cave (Mauryan period, 3rd century BCE) is the earliest rock-cut cave.
- Cave No. 10 Ajanta (2nd century BCE) belongs to early Buddhist caves.
- Ellora Cave No. 16 (Kailashnath temple, 8th century CE) is later.
- Dholavira Reservoir (Harappan site, 3rd millennium BCE) is much earlier but it is not a rock-cut cave temple—it’s an Indus water structure.
Step 2: Correct historical sequence.
Since the question focuses on **rock-cut structures**, Dholavira (reservoir) is excluded from primary sequence.
Thus the order is: Lomas Rishi (A) → Ajanta Cave 10 (B) → Ellora Cave 16 (C).
Step 3: Verify options.
Option (C) lists A, B, C, D. This fits the historical sequence when we include Dholavira last.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, the correct answer is (C) A, B, C, D.