Barabar Caves

By iastoppers.com

Did you know about the oldest surviving rock-cut cavesin India?

India's oldest instill rock-cut caverns date back to the 3rd Century AD and are significant for the Ajivika sect's origin.

The Barabar Caves, located in Bihar’s Makhdumpur are considered to be the country’s oldest surviving rock-cut caves.

It comprises four main caves Sudama, Vishwakarma, Karan Chaupar, and Lomas Rishi, with inscriptions dedicated to Emperor Ashoka.

The Lomas Rishi Cave is notable for its ornate door and lack of Ashokan inscriptions, featuring intricate elephant sculptures near the entrance.

Vishwakarma Cave is marked by an inscription bearing Ashoka's name and housing two rooms, unique for lacking inscriptions post-Ashoka.

Additional structures include Nagarjuni hill caves, consecrated by Dasaratha Maurya, and the Baba Siddharth Temple, originally Siddheshwar Nath Temple, dating to the Gupta period.