The Barabar Caves, the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, are located in which district of Bihar?
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This question examines an important Bihar General Knowledge fact: “” The correct answer is Gaya. The Barabar Caves are located in the Jehanabad/Gaya district of Bihar (the caves are administratively linked to Jehanabad but are geographically close to Gaya). They are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating back to the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE), constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. The Barabar hill group has four caves: Lomas Rishi, Sudama, Visvakarma, and Karan Chaupar. The Nagarjuni Hills nearby also have three more caves. Forster based his fictional Marabar Caves in the novel 'A Passage to India' on the Barabar Caves. Nalanda district is famous for the ancient university ruins and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.