The Prehistoric Paintings of the Pachmarhi Hills
The Prehistoric Paintings of the Pachmarhi Hills
The Prehistoric Paintings of the Pachmarhi Hills
The Prehistoric Paintings of the Pachmarhi Hills
Pachmarhi Rock Art Gallery
Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak

Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
One of the largest concentrations of painted rock shelters in central India is found in the Pachmarhi Hills, situated in the State of Madhya Pradesh. The hills lie in the Satpura Range formed of ancient sandstone. Natural shelters are found all over the forested hills, many of which were chosen to be decorated with art.

The subject matter of the Pachmarhi paintings is rich and varied; hunting, dancing, gathering, religious rites, and domestic scenes. All aspects of life are reflected on the richly-hued walls of the rock shelters. In the rock paintings, ancestors are depicted dancing in pairs, or in rows, and playing musical instruments. They hunted animals and collected honey from the hives of wild bees.

The styles of the rock art range from the naturalistic or representational to the symbolic or abstract. The former tend to be monochrome or bichrome outlines. Nearly all depictions of animals are shown in profile and in motion, often with patterned interiors.

The descendants of the original hunters and gatherers of Pachmarhi are the tribal Korku and Gond, who still uphold some of the traditions of their ancestors. The tribes living in these hills have wooden memorial boards on which are carved depictions of horse and rider, akin to those painted in rock shelters by their ancestors predecessors. During the rainy season and on festive occasions walls of the houses are painted with figures and symbols reflected in the rock art. Here there exists a living tradition born from very deep roots.

See more on the rock art of Pachmarhi and the research of Dr Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak, as well as the rock art of Central India by Dr Jean Clottes.

Photographs compiled by Dr. Meenakshi Dubey Pathak. All Images Subject to Copyright by the author.

India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Sun over Mountain
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Cupule in ground
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Ceremonial Scene
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
A Pregnant Cow
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Women in the Hut
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Conflict between two groups
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Men holding behead head
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Shepherd with cattle
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
A Pregnant Deer and a Bull
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Warriors
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Hunting scene
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Domestic Scene
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
A Cow
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Hunting a Monkey
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Running Archers
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Caprisoned Elephants
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
War Scene
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
A Pangolin and A Porcupine
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Head Hunters
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Relaxing
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Dancing Soldiers
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Horse Rider
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
A woman combing hair
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak
 
India Prehistoric Rock Art Paintings Pachmarhi Hills
Richhgarh Rock Shelter
© Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak

→ Discover more about the Rock Art of India
→ Bradshaw Foundation
→ Rock Art Network

Follow the Bradshaw Foundation on social media for news & updates
Follow the Bradshaw Foundation
on social media for news & updates
Follow the Bradshaw Foundation on social media for news & updates
Follow the Bradshaw Foundation
on social media for news & updates
If you have enjoyed visiting this website
please consider adding a link © Bradshaw Foundation
 

 
Bradshaw Foundation Donate Friends
Support our work & become a
Friend of the Foundation
 
 
 
Bradshaw Foundation YouTube
Bradshaw Foundation Rock Art Network Getty Conservation Institute
Bradshaw Foundation Rock Art Network Getty Conservation Institute
Bradshaw Foundation Rock Art Network Getty Conservation Institute
Bradshaw Foundation iShop Shop Store
Bradshaw Foundation iShop Shop Store
Bradshaw Foundation iShop Shop Store