The Barabar Hill Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire, some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district, Bihar, India, 24 km north of Gaya. These caves are situated in the twin hills of Barabar and Nagarjuni; caves of the 1.6 km-distant Nagarjuni Hill are sometimes singled out as the Nagarjuni Caves. These rock-cut chambers bear dedicatory inscriptions in the name of "King Piyadasi" for the Barabar group, and "Devanampiya Dasaratha" for the Nagarjuni group, thought to date back to the 3rd century BCE during the Maurya period, and to correspond respectively to Ashoka and his grandson, Dasharatha Maurya. The sculptured surround to the entrance to the Lomas Rishi Cave is the earliest survival of the ogee shaped "chaitra arch" or chandrashala that was to be an important feature of Indian rock-cut architecture and sculptural decoration for centuries. The form was clearly a reproduction in stone of buildings in wood and other plant materials. 

The Bihar Museum in Patna is a modern museum that showcases the rich cultural, artistic, and historical heritage of Bihar. It houses ancient artifacts, sculptures, manuscripts, and Mauryan-era relics, including a life-size Ashokan pillar. The museum is known for its interactive exhibits and well-organized galleries, making it an educational and engaging experience for visitors. It serves as an essential destination for history lovers, students, and researchers exploring Bihar’s glorious past.