Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak

The Pachmarhi plateau (1220m. above sea level) is situated at about 200kms south of Bhopal, in the folds of the Satpura range, a chain of sandstone hills. It mostly consists of jungles and mountains and it includes more than one hundred rock art shelters. The first ones were discovered in 1932. For the past 35 years, author has been working on the paintings in that area, documenting them and working for their protection with the authorities in charge (Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh). Despite the restrictions imposed to the access of the general public to the vast area called Satpura Tiger Reserve, protected within a National Park for its fauna and flora, the paintings have suffered many degradations in the past quarter of a century, not only from nature (spalling of the walls, collapse of painted blocks) but mostly from human actions (removal of painted panels by unscrupulous researchers; graffiti).

Pachmarhi and the surrounding Mahadeo hills hold one of the richest concentrations of rock art in Madhya Pradesh. The Pachmarhi plateau (1220m. above sea level) is situated at about 210kms. south of Bhopal, in the folds of the Satpura range, a chain of sandstone hills. It mostly consists of jungles and mountains and it probably includes over one hundred rock art shelters. More than sixty of them have so far been surveyed but there are still many more to discover.

The reason why most of Indian rock art is in Central India is of course geological. The Satpura and Vindhyan ranges consist of soft sandstone, which over millions of years has weathered into hills now containing overhanging rocks of many shapes and sizes at the base of cliffs. From early prehistoric times till a few centuries ago they provided shelters to humans.

In 2000-2002, author carried out a project for the Environment and Planning department of Madhya Pradesh on the Documentation and Preservation of Rock Art of Satpura Biosphere (Pachmarhi). After completion of the project, the Forest department of Hoshangabad (Madhya Pradesh) protected ten painted rock art sites in the National Park Area. To do so, the shelters were enclosed with railings and, on top of the panel, a kind of channel was dug out to clear the rain water. 

She has trained many forests tourist guides, local Korku’s and Gonds tribes including women. Forest guides are guards are well trained to give basic introduction of rock art, as well as flora and fauna.

Visitors can visit some of the sites, with the permission of Forest Officials. Since the park is full of wild life, forest guards are always there on duty and will accompany them.

→ The India Rock Art Archive

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