The Barabar Caves in Bihar, considered the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, were dedicated primarily for the use of ascetics belonging to which religious sect?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Barabar Caves near Gaya were excavated during the Maurya Empire under Ashoka and his successor Dasharatha for the ascetic community of the Ajivika sect. Jainism and Buddhism inspired different rock-cut architectures, such as the Udayagiri caves or standard viharas.