Since time immemorial human beings have
always been keen to leave their artistic impressions of their beliefs,
thoughts, dreams, every day life, plants and animals of their period. A
wonderful archetype of this art in India are the rock shelters of Bhimbetka.
Bhimbetka has been named after Bhim Vatika or garden of Bhima, the Pandava
prince in Mahabharata. I9t is situated at about fourty six kilometres south
of the central Indian city of Bhopal. The place consists of about 600 rock
shelters that date back to 5,500 -1,000 BC. Here lies Asia's richest
collection of prehistoric paintings. The etchings depict the lives of the
prehistoric cave dwellers from the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic
periods.
The paintings are executed in a colourful medley of reds, greens, yellows
and whites. Scenes of hunting, dancing, horse and elephant rides, animal
fights, masks, religious rites, burials and household tableaux can be found
in the cave paintings. In most of these paintings on the caves men have
depicted as sick figures. Animal figures like wild buffaloes, bisons, deers,
tigers, bears and elephants can also be found. Details of tools used to
hunt, the danger that a wild animal could pose, the intricacies of
childbirth have been laid bare on the cave walls for all to see, follow and
admire. Interestingly, the top crust in some paintings shows that the walls
were repeatedly used. The colours have remained intact till date.
Rock Shelters' History
The discovery of Bhimbetka started with the
train journey of V.S. Wakankar to Bhopal. While travelling he found out
caves that were similar to prehistoric rock formation he has witnessed in
France and Spain. He returned there with several archaeologists and
discovered several prehistoric rock shelters. Thus was discovered the oldest
human settlement in India and one of the oldest sites in the world where
petroglyphs were found.
Year Of Kudos
The Bhimbetka caves were put on the World Heritage
Site list of UNESCO in 2003. These caves are being preserved for posterity
as they are a treasure trove of history and art from time.
Acrid Bulletin
- Bhimbetka was first mentioned in Indian archaeological records in
1888 as a Buddhist site.
- V.S. Wakankar while travelling discovered several prehistoric rock
shelters in Bhimbetka.
- Out of 700 shelters that have discovered so far, 243 are in Bhimbetka
group.
- Around fifteen caves of Bhimbetka are open to the public.
