The Barabar Hill Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire, some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district, Bihar, India, 24 km (15 mi) north of Gaya.
The famous carved entrance of Lomas Rishi cave, dated to approximately 250 BC, making it the first known Maurya relief
Panorama of Barabar hill, with entrances to Sudama and Lomas Rishi caves
Entrances of Sudama Cave, and further, Lomas Rishi Cave, Barabar Hill
Unfinished interior (floor and ceiling) of Lomas Rishi cave. The rocky bumps left in the state on the ground appear in the farther left corner
Indian rock-cut architecture
Indian rock-cut architecture is more various and found in greater abundance in that country than any other form of rock-cut architecture around the world. Rock-cut architecture is the practice of creating a structure by carving it out of solid natural rock. Rock that is not part of the structure is removed until the only rock left makes up the architectural elements of the excavated interior. Indian rock-cut architecture is mostly religious in nature.
Cave 19, Ajanta, a 5th-century chaitya hall
Kailash Temple, Ellora cave 16
Saptaparni Cave, a retreat of the Buddha.
The famous carved door of Lomas Rishi, one of the Barabar Caves, dated to approximately 250 BCE, displaying the first known Maurya reliefs.
