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- Rock-cut architecture gives us some knowledge of the life of the ancient people. There are known more than 1,500 rock-cut structures in India.
- The oldest rock-cut architecture is the Barabar caves, Bihar built around 3rd Century BC, other early cave temples are found in the western Deccan, mostly Buddhist shrines and monasteries) dating between 100 BC and 170 AD).
- The earliest cave temples include the Bhaja Caves, the Karla Caves, the Bedse Caves, the Kanheri Caves, and some of the Ajanta Caves.
- Relics found in these caves suggest an important connection between religious and commercial history, as Buddhist missionaries often accompanied traders on the busy international trading routes through India.
- Some of the more sumptuous cave temples, commissioned by wealthy traders, included pillars, arches, and elaborate facades during the time maritime trade boomed between the Roman Empire and south-east Asia.
- Later rock-cut cave architecture became more sophisticated as in the Ellora Caves, culminating ultimately the monolithic Kailash Temple.
