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Place Ellora Caves
Asked 6 times across 3 UPSC exams over 12 years (2013–2025), peaking in 2013.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 4 of 6 PYQs
- Most asked in 2013
- Recurs across 3 years (2013–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2013 → EPFO 2023 → CDS 2025
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (4 of 6) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2025
Consider the following statements about Ellora
- This art-historical site is associated exclusively with Buddhism
- The Kailasa temple at Ellora was built of dressed stone and kiln fired bricks
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Art & Culture › Architecture & Sculpture
EPFO2023
Which one among the following statements about the Kailashanatha temple at Ellora is not correct?
- A The temple was carved out of rocks in the Eighth Century CE.
- B The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- C The superstructure of the temple corresponds to the Nagara style. ✓
- D The temple has both Shaiva and Vaishnava sculptures.
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Art & Culture › Architecture & Sculpture
CSE2013
With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements
- The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India
- The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya
- At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 3 only ✓
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › Ancient India
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