Through the work of Dr Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak, we will be celebrating the antiquity and diversity of India's ancient art throughout August.

Dr Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak - archaeologist, author, artist

In 2014 Dr Dubey-Pathak he was awarded the honour of 'Chevalier des Arts et Lettres' - Knight of the National Order of Arts and Letters - by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. 

She is a member of the Rock Art Society of India (RASI - founding member), Indian Society of Prehistory and Quaternary Studies, Australian Rock Art Research Association (AURA), International Federation of Rock Art (IFRAO), Palaeo Research Society (PRS), American Rock Art Research Association (ARARA), ARAPE (Association pour le Rayonnement de l'Art Pariétal Européen), World Archaeological Congress and the Bradshaw Foundation Advisory Board. 
                             
Nishangarh Rock Art Site
Satpura Hills, Pachmarhi
Fieldwork: Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak and Jean Clottes

During our field research work in 2012 in the Satpura ranges of Pachmarhi, through the help of local tribal people we were shown some new undocumented rock art sites.

Throughout August we are going to be featuring and sharing rock art from India on Facebook https://t.co/FnTlkDuBl5 pic.twitter.com/LQSc09WvXt

— Bradshaw Foundation (@BradshawFND) August 4, 2016

We have now documented the Nishangarh rock art site, near Kajari village some 40 kms from the town of Pachmarhi. The painted site is situated on the cliff of the mountain known as Nishangarh.

The main panel is superimposed by many Later Period paintings including symbols and human and animal figures depicting hunting and conflict scenes. Conflict scenes are common but the reasons for conflict are not indicated. Horsemen armed with swords and shields overlie the earlier paintings portraying the life of hunters and gatherers. The horsemen bear elaborate military equipment consisting of spears, axes, swords, shields, daggers and bows and arrows. Other individuals carry drums and trumpets. Foot soldiers as well as men riding caparisoned horses and elephants are depicted. Goats, dogs, oxen, donkeys and performing monkeys accompany the troops. 

Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak

Visit the India Rock Art Archive:
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/india/index.php

Images: copyright of Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak and Jean Clottes. 'Des Images pour les Dieux. Art rupestre et Art tribal dans le Centre de l'Inde'. Arles (France), Editions Errance, 2013, Jean Clottes & Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak