India Mint Stamp
Lokith Philately
Permanent Pictorial cancellation of Madhya pradesh
Permanent Pictorial cancellation of Madhya pradesh
Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers
Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers
Date of issue: not known
Date of issue: not known
Pin code: 464998
Pin code: 464998
Status: Active
Status: Active
PO Name: Ankalpur
PO Name: Ankalpur
Description: The prehistoric Bhimbetka rock shelters are located in Madhya Pradesh, approximately 45 km from Bhopal. Spanning a length of 10 km, the site features more than 700 rock shelters, of which over 400 contain paintings. Evidence of early human activities is revealed through various stone tools, including hand axes, cleavers, and pebble tools. The continuity of human development from the Lower Paleolithic to the Middle Paleolithic is indicated by the smaller sizes of the stone tools and the emergence of new tools, such as scrapers. During the Upper Paleolithic, new types of tools like blades, borers, and burins also appeared. Stone tools from this period include blades, triangles, trapezoids, crescents, as well as grinders and mullers. Mesolithic culture persisted at Bhimbetka for a long time, as evidenced by the presence of Chalcolithic pottery found within Mesolithic contexts. By early historic times, evidence suggests that contact with surrounding cultures increased. This is illustrated by the presence of rock-cut beds in a rock shelter near the top of an outcrop, resembling the Sallekhana sites found in South India. Additionally, a small inscription from the Mauryan/Sungha period can be found in the cave.
Description: The prehistoric Bhimbetka rock shelters are located in Madhya Pradesh, approximately 45 km from Bhopal. Spanning a length of 10 km, the site features more than 700 rock shelters, of which over 400 contain paintings. Evidence of early human activities is revealed through various stone tools, including hand axes, cleavers, and pebble tools. The continuity of human development from the Lower Paleolithic to the Middle Paleolithic is indicated by the smaller sizes of the stone tools and the emergence of new tools, such as scrapers. During the Upper Paleolithic, new types of tools like blades, borers, and burins also appeared. Stone tools from this period include blades, triangles, trapezoids, crescents, as well as grinders and mullers. Mesolithic culture persisted at Bhimbetka for a long time, as evidenced by the presence of Chalcolithic pottery found within Mesolithic contexts. By early historic times, evidence suggests that contact with surrounding cultures increased. This is illustrated by the presence of rock-cut beds in a rock shelter near the top of an outcrop, resembling the Sallekhana sites found in South India. Additionally, a small inscription from the Mauryan/Sungha period can be found in the cave.
Within the Bhimbetka group of rock shelters, there are numerous Sankha Lipi inscriptions. Notable rock paintings can be found in the Peeping Rock Shelter, Zoo Rock Shelter, and Pig Rock Shelter. The earliest attempts at artistic expression at this site, aside from basic survival activities, included the carving of small cup-like pits at the ends of the rock shelters, which are estimated to be around 100000 years old. Near the end of one tunnel, a collection of paintings depicts a hunter alongside various animals, including deer, tigers, cattle, and a stylized peacock. Continuing along the same path, the Zoo Rock Shelter contains paintings that include a Mesolithic boar, elephant, rhinoceros, stag, spotted deer, and other animals such as cattle and snakes depicted in deep red. Later paintings showcase war scenes rendered in red, along with an elephant painted in white. Boar Rock, the last of the accessible rock shelters, features a depiction of a mythical boar with horns that are disproportionately larger than the man it is chasing.
Within the Bhimbetka group of rock shelters, there are numerous Sankha Lipi inscriptions. Notable rock paintings can be found in the Peeping Rock Shelter, Zoo Rock Shelter, and Pig Rock Shelter. The earliest attempts at artistic expression at this site, aside from basic survival activities, included the carving of small cup-like pits at the ends of the rock shelters, which are estimated to be around 100000 years old. Near the end of one tunnel, a collection of paintings depicts a hunter alongside various animals, including deer, tigers, cattle, and a stylized peacock. Continuing along the same path, the Zoo Rock Shelter contains paintings that include a Mesolithic boar, elephant, rhinoceros, stag, spotted deer, and other animals such as cattle and snakes depicted in deep red. Later paintings showcase war scenes rendered in red, along with an elephant painted in white. Boar Rock, the last of the accessible rock shelters, features a depiction of a mythical boar with horns that are disproportionately larger than the man it is chasing.