Question

Which dynasty built the famous Kailasha temple at Ellora?

• A. Chalukya
• B. Kushan
• C. Rashtrakuta
• D. Pahllava

Hint:

Hint:
The builder was king Krishna I of a Deccan dynasty of the 8th century.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question
The Kailasha temple at Ellora in Maharashtra is a huge rock-cut temple carved out of a single rock. We need the dynasty that built it.

Step 2: Key Fact
The temple was commissioned by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century CE. It is the largest monolithic rock-cut structure in the world.

Step 3: Check option 1
The Chalukyas built the temples at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal. They did not build Kailasha. So option 1 is wrong.

Step 4: Check option 2
The Kushans are known for Gandhara art and coins, and ruled much earlier. So option 2 is wrong.

Step 5: Check option 3
The Rashtrakutas built the Kailasha temple at Ellora. So option 3 is correct.

Step 6: Check option 4
The Pallavas built Mahabalipuram and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram, which has a similar name but is in Tamil Nadu. So option 4 is wrong.

Final Answer:
The Kailasha temple at Ellora was built by the Rashtrakutas. This is option 3. \[ \boxed{3} \]