The correct option is 3 only
Explanation
The question pertains to the characteristics of the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, India, focusing on its religious composition and architectural features.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1: Ellora is exclusively a Buddhist site.
Incorrect. The Ellora Caves represent a unique artistic creation and technological exploit, comprising Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments built under the patronage of various dynasties between the 6th and 10th centuries CE. It is a multi-religious site, not exclusively Buddhist.
- Statement 2: It is the only site where triple-storeyed excavations are found.
Incorrect. While Ellora features impressive multi-storeyed structures, including triple-storeyed ones (e.g., Cave 12, Teen Tal), it is not the *only* site with such excavations. Other sites, such as some Buddhist caves in western India, also exhibit multi-storeyed structures, though perhaps not as extensively or prominently as Ellora.
- Statement 3: The Buddhist caves at Ellora are generally smaller in size compared to the Brahmanical caves.
Correct. The Buddhist caves (Caves 1-12) at Ellora, dating from the 6th-8th centuries CE, are generally simpler and smaller in scale compared to the later Hindu (Brahmanical) caves (Caves 13-29), which include monumental structures like the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16). The Hindu caves are known for their grand scale, elaborate sculptures, and complex architectural layouts.
Key Takeaway
The Ellora Caves are a multi-religious site featuring Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain rock-cut architecture, with the Buddhist caves generally being smaller than the later Hindu caves.