The Pandavleni Caves are located in which state?

Option 4 : Maharashtra

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Maharashtra.

The Pandavleni Caves are located in Nashik, Maharashtra.

• Other names for them are Nasik Caves, Pandu Lena, Pandu Caves or Trirashmi Leni.
• They are a group of 24 caves carved between the 1st century BCE and the 3rd century CE.
• The various inscriptions in the caves confirm that Nashik was ruled by 3 dynasties – the Western Kshatrapas, the Satavahanas and the Abhiras. And all of them supported Buddhism.
• Inscriptions in the caves note the names Bhattapalika, Gautamiputra Satkarni, Vashishthiputra Pulumavi of the Satavahanas, two of the Western Satraps, Ushavadata and his wife Dakshamitra, and the Yavana (Indo-Greek) Dhammadeva.
• Cave No.3 was built and dedicated to the Samgha in the 2nd century CE by Queen Gotami Balasiri, mother of deceased Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni.
• The Satavahanas, also known as the Andhras ruled India from the late second century BCE to the early 3rd century BCE.