C h a p te r iv

S u b je c t M a tte r
 93

subject matteh

RocJc paintings represent succesclve phases In the

story of Homo sapiens from late hunter-gatharsr to settled

agricultural stage of social evaluation* Thay show economic

and social and cultural practises including belief systems

of societies ac various stages of development*

The subject matter of the rock x aintin^'s of .>agar

region can be divided into following sections*

I Figures

II -Scenes

III Kythology

IV l^terial Culture

I Figures

Figures depicted in the paintings are studied under

two groups# (a) tftiman figures and (b) Mon-human figures

«
(a) Human Fi<jures

Thsse can again be divided into following sub groups t

1* Mala 2* Pemele 3* Children and 4* Anthropomorphic

 94

Males (Flg« 5)

The total nvunber of stuale human figures is 923*

Of those, 337 figures are fotjnd independently, not

associated with any kind of activity cr scene. Figures

in the earlier (prehistoric) phase are drawn in outline#

They are rolatively slim, naturalistic and aro mariced by

rnovero?nt* The figures in the later (i*?. historic) phases

ara drawn in silhouette and are generally ster^“otyped and

static* Tabls 2 gives the classification of male human

figures accordiny to style and colour*

■Cable 2 i Classification of Male Figures

s t y l e colour Site Shelter NO, of f^ha;

N O * Figures

s i l . Nat* r-<ed KMF 1 1 C

Sil* Geo, white DAR 4 2 0

M m c
Rad A O D 1 9 6

m n
Rad A B D 1 0 1 c
Pax't# R e d A B D 1 6 9 D

Out# Goo# Red 3 L A 1 0 4 D

N M
White A 8 D 5 3 D
n ti 17
v.'hite A B D 4 D
H m Ochre A 3D 16 33 D
n m white A B D 16 6 D
H n Red A 3D 13 3 C
tt ti i<ed 1 4 D
 95

Table«2 (Contd.)

style colour site Shelter NO. O f Phase

NO. Figures

Out* Geo* aed 3MR 4 3 C

n M Red SMR 8 4 C

sil« Abs. Red NRL 1 4 C

M m Dark Hed KNP 3 3 c
M M Red JER 1 1 c

Sil» Abs« Rsd DAH 1 2 c

m M Red mn 5 3 c
N M Red mu 7 1 0
« N Red CHI* 1 6 c
N t* Dark Red QIA 1 2 B
m N ^d 3LA 5 2 C
N H Dark Red 3j;a 7 1
N W Red BIA 9 4 c
N •• Red BLA 8 6 c
« N Red 3IA 10 2 D
N M iled BDR 2 1 c
M N Red GUR 6 1 D
N I* Red KRT 4 2 C
« N Red A3D 2 3 c
m M Hted ABD 6 1 B
N n Red ABD 11 3 B
M <• Red ABD 17 3 D
M (f 'White ABD 18 1 D
« • Red ABD 22 8 A
 9G

Table-2 (Contd*)

Style colour site shelter no, of Phase

No* Figures

Sll, Abs, Red A.3D 20 3 C

*• " Red ABD 22 8 c

” ■* Dark Red abd 16 14 D

*• " 'tod ABD 13 5 C

•* »<0d 3 9 c
*• " f^>d GMPv 6 4 c
« - Red 12 1 D

*• •* white i^R 7 4 C

" “ ited 6 11 w

“ ted Ai'^N 7 4 c

Deco*Abs« «<®d liRJj 1 3 c

Part Abs* iiod K^iT 5 3 c
Out* Abs* Red NRl> 1 1 D

Dark Red iONP 3 15 A

tied !CNP 3 1 B

0ark Hed 9 3 C

Red DAR 9 4 C

Black CtlL 1 3 C

vhlt® CHL 1 5 A

Red CHL 1 12 C

Dark, ned 3LA 6 6 c

i«ed SLA 9 1 c
i^ed 3I>A 10 10 D
 97

Table-2 (Cont<3*)

style Colour site shelter NO. O f Phase

No* Figures

Out, Abs» Dark Red BLA 13 1 C

M H Red 3DR I 2 C
M H Red SDR 2 1 c
H n Red BDR 5 2 c
M ff* md GUS 2 1 o
tt N Vtfhite A3D 2 1 D
m » i^ed Aan 8 1 A
tt Red ABD 10 2 C
H *» iied ABD 11 2 C
Kt K vvhlte ABD 17 1 0
m W whit© ABD 21 2 D
n II
Red ABD 22 5 c

out« Aba« Dark K©d ABD 20 12 c

m tt Red ABD 20 2 c
n White ABD 16 4 c
n M Dark Red SMR c 4 c
»( j^ed 12 2 c
H Ckjhre Aim At 9 c
H II KCd 2 3 c
H ft white W'lii 3 2 D
m n Red /v’N 5 2 C
n M ited Ai-m 8 5 D
 98

Sassla I Generally feraala figures are fcnmd participating

In dances along with male figures# and ara differentiated

from tha latter by ankle langth clothing# charactarlstlcally

rhythmic pose# and fuller rounded torso:; • Only 3 f©i;iale

figures are depicted independently. They are executed in

red and dark red colour in sll* Abs style

Table 3 i Classification of Fertiala Figure

Style Colour site Shelter HO. of Phase

NO. Figures

sil* Abs. Dark Red 2 1 C

Sil« AhSm tied A2D 20 2 C

Children t There are only five figures of children# painted

alon^ vlth male figtiras* rhey' ara shown walking and playln;j«

These figures are executed in 2 colours (Rod 3# Dark f?3d 2 )

and in 2 atyles <;^il<> Abs* 4# Out* )*

Table«4 1 Classification of children Fioures

sttle Colour Site ohelter NO* Of Phase

130* Figures

Out* Geo* Rad A 3D 20 1 A

Sil* Abs* Dark Red ABD 22 2 A

Six* Abs* lOJP 3 2 A

 99

AnthropCTnorphic i Men-llke figures which appear unusual

in shape and are represented by abstract or geometric

forms are grouped together tinder this heading* There are

six such figures executed in 2 colours t Aed-5# white 1#

and in 2 styles* 311 Abs 5 , Cut Abs 1*

T&ble~5 I Classification of Anthropomorphic Flcmres

style cxlour sit® :>helter NO. Of Phase

No. Figures

Sil, Abs Red DAR 9 3 C

M M i^d K«T 4 1 D
m M v;hite ABD 2 1 C

Out# Abs Red ABD 16 1 C

Non-hmnan fiourea

This group includes both wild and domr^stic animals#

birds and other sinall creatures* some of these animal

figures aro depicted in naturalistic style and of relatively

larger size* The animal figures of the earlier phase show

movement and are generally decorated by abstract and geomatric

patterns# They are repressnted in a variety of actions, such

ae standing# walking, running and galloping, positions (head

upwards, head downwards) and postiures (looking sideways,

looking bac'c and suckling a baby). The drawings of later

phases are stereotyped and stationary*

 100

>rtie total number of animal figures is 616* Of these#

208 are unidentifiable. Ths 408 figures of anliBals belong

to 13 species# both wild and domastlc* rha wild anljr..3l3

include 1 Monkey 2 Tiger 3 Lion, 4 wild boar# 5 dear#

6 Nilgai# 7 wild buffalo, 8 Gaur# 9 Elephant and 10 Hare*

The domastic animals include# 11 Dog, 12 Horse# 13 Ox*

"TV, y>5\ ^
/^ong the birds# 22 drawings of peacock and 8 drawings

of duck are found# Tha other creatures include two figures

of cxx>codile# two figures of fish and one figure of a scorpion*

1* Monkey

Five figures of monkey have been recorded from 3 shelters

at two sites* pour of them are executed in white in Sil*

Nat* style and one in dark red colour and in Deco* Abs* style*

2* Tiger

Twelva figures have been recorded from 6 shelters at

four sites* rhssa are executed in 3 colours* Rsd 4# Light

Red 1# Dark Red 7# and observed 5 styles, oil* Nat* 4# Deco*

Nat* 1# sil* Abs* 1# oeco* Abs* 5 and Out* /ibs* 1*

TK- r s i s '
Table»<5 t Classification of Tigor figures

style colour site shelter No* of Phase

No* Figures

Sil* Nat* Dark .Red 5 4 C

Deco* Nat* Dark Red shr 7 1 C

sil. Abs* Red ABO 16 1 C

 101

Table«»6 t Classification of Tiger Flgmres (Contd»)

style colour site Shelter NO. of Phase

NO. Figures

Doco» Abs . Light Red KNP 3 1 D

Out* Abs* Red ABD 16 1 C

•• m Dark Red SMR 6 2 c
«• n Red AMN 6 2 c

3* Idon {Pig. 6)

rhere are 29 figures of lion distributed among 11

shelters at four sites. They ara executed in two colours t

Red 15 and DarH Red 14 and in four» styles; sil. Mat. 20>

Out« Nat. 2# Deco. Geo 4 and Deco. Abs * 3«

Table—7 t Classification of Lion Figures

Style Colour Site shelter ito* of Phase

No. Figures

Sil* Nat. Red OAR 2 1 C

Red ABD 18 3 c
Dark Red 3MR 6 4 c
Dark Lied m il 9 1 c
Red .iMR 3 3 c
Dark r^ed ABD 16 2 c
aed ABD 16 5 c
Ited A3D 20 1 c
Out. Nat. Red A3D 11 1 c
^^d A 3D 13 1 c
 102

Table-7 (Contd#)

style colour Site shelter no. of Phase

Mo« Figures

Deco. Geo# Dark ried 3LA 12 4 C

Deco. Abs* Dark Red DAS 8 3 C

4» Wild boar

There are only three figures of wild bear# distributed

among three shelters at two sites* th ey are executed in dark

red colour in 2 styles* Nat* £}il« 1# Deco. Hat. 2«

5* Deer (Pig* 10)

The figures of deer are well represented almost in all

shelters* Most of the drawings are naturalistic and are

depicted in hards or in a row* Thera are 220 figures in all#

executed in five colours (Red 125* Dork aed 77, white 7#

Black 6, Ochre 5) and in ten styles (sil. Nat* 64# Deco* Nat* 9#

Out* Nat* 7# sil* Geo, 12# Deco* Geo* 48# Part* Geo, 2#

Out* Geo 19# sil* Abs* 39# Deco* Abs* 15# and Out* Abs, 5)*

Table«>8 t Classification of ijeer Figures

Style colour sit© shelter s^o* of Phase

Nc * Figures

sil* Nat* Red BLA 3 1 C

Red BLA 3 3 C

«©d KNi' 3 2 C

Red JER 2 1 D
 103

TabXe*8 (contd*)

style Colour site shelter NO* of Phase

No* Figures

sil* Nat* Dark Red Ji£R 2 2 C

i^ed DAR 2 3 C

Dark Rad DAR 3 5 C

Black DAR 4 6 c
^d DAR 4 2 c
Rad DAR 5 3 D
Red DAR 7 2 c
*^d PTK 1 6 c
Red KRT 2 1 0

!<ed ABD 8 2 c

Dark Red A3D 16 4 c

Red ABD 16 10 c
i^ed ABD 20 6 c
.led SMR 2 2 c
Dark Red oT'IR 3 1 c
i^d Ai'IN 6 2 c
Deco# Wat* Red DAR 2 4 c
^d DAR 5 3 c
i^ed DAR 7 1 c
Red A3D 20 1 B

Out* Nat* Dark Red ABD 4 1 c

i^d DAR 7 4 c
Had DAR 5 2 c
 104

TabXe-8 (Contd•)

>tyle colour site .shelter No* of Phase

NO* Figures

Red &LA 10 11 c
Aed ABD 19 1 c
Dark reed PTR 1 3 c

Cchre i-TR 2 5 c

Dark Red 3LA 3 2 8

Dark SLA 4 2 B

Dark Red MA 6 6 B

Dark Red 3LA 7 6 B

£)ark i^d 3LA a 6 B

Dark -ied 3LA 11 7 C

.Hed ADD 8 1 c
iisd ABD 10 1 A

Red ABD 20 1 C

»ed ADD 20 5 c
Dark »^ed ABD 22 2 c
white ABD 22 1 c
Red ASD 20 1 c
Dark Red ABD 22 1 c
Out, Geo, Red BLA 10 2 c
Dark ^9d SLA 13 10 c
Red ABD 10 1 A

Red ABD 16 2 D

Khite ABD 18 1 0
 105

Tablo-8 (contd*)

style Colour site =^elt:er iio. of Phase

NO. Figures

ABD 18 1 O

Dark Red A 3D 22 2 C

DAR 9 2 c
iled FTK 1 10 c
Dark Red BIA 13 6 c
Red Gua 1 1 c
Rad GUH 1 3 c
i?ed GUR 2 2 c
:^ed GUR 2 1 c
i<ed PPR 1 4 c
white ABD 2 2 D

Ked Sr-!R 2 5 C

Red PGR 1 3 c
Dark Rod aiiA 5 1 B

Dark iiod BUi 7 1 B

Red SDR 1 1 C
*
Red BDR 2 X C
«•
Red GUR 6 i. c
Dark Red KRT 1 6 B

Dark Red KRT 1 1 0

i^d a BD 20 i 3
<■
white ABD 22 X C

kvhite Ai^lN 3 1 B
 lOG

Tablets (contd.)

style colour ^Ite shelter wo* of Phase

Ho. Figure

Out. Abs. Derk :^d KRT 3 2 C

i^ed KRT 3 1 C

Ked ELA 10 1 C

i^d ABD 16 1 C

6. Hllqal (Fig* 9)

There are 15 figures of nilgai distributed ainong six

shelters at three sit^a# These are executed in two colours*

Dark Fed 8, white 7 end in four styles i tksco, Nat* 4» oeco,

<Jeo* 5t exit* Geo* 5 and (Xtt* Abs* 1*

rable-9 t das^ificcition of Nilgai Figures

Style colour site Shelter NO* Of Phase

NO* Figures

Deco* Hat* Dark Red ABD IQ 2 C

Dark Red 7 2 B

Deco# Ceo* Dark Red BLA 9 1 B

V'ihite A3D 20 2 C

Dark Red A3D 20 2 B

Out* ueo* white /^3D 12 5 C

Out. Abs* Dark Red A8D 10 1 C

 107

7* wild buffalo (Pig* 7)

Saventaen figures of wild buffalo have been recorded

frcxn 14 shelters at eight sites* Ihese are executed in four

colours* iied 2# Dark Red 9, White 4 and Ochre 2# and in five

styles* Sil* Nat* 3# Deco* Nat* 3# Deco, Geo, 3 , Deco* Abs* 6

and Out* Abs* 2*

Table-10 t classification of Buffalo figuras

stylo colour site shelter no* of Phase

No* Figures

Sil* Nat* Bed DAR 2 C

Dark Red abd 16 C

white ABD 13 C

Deco* Nat. White DAR 1 B

Dark Ii0d GVR 7 B

Part* £lat* Dark RedSLA 6 B

Deco* Geo* White si'ia 1 C

Dark Red ABD 21 B

Deco* Abs* Ochre KNP 1 B

tvliite PTa 2 C

Dark Red aoR 4 B

Dark irled Si^R 6 B

Dark Red ABD 20 B

Out* Aba* Red ABD 10 A

Ochre ABD 10 A
 108

8, Qavtr

Only ons figure of a gaur has been recorded from one

shelter at one site* It i s executed in dark red and is in

Part Nat* style*

9* Elephant (Pig* 12)

Fifteen drawings of elephant have been recorded from

ten shelters at nina sites* rhese are executed in four

colours t ^ d 11# Dark red 1# Light red 1# Cxijnson 2 and in

six styles t sil* Nat* 4« Part Nat* 1# £il* Abs* 1« oeco*

Ab£;« 5# Part* Abs* 2 and Out* Abs* 2«

Table»l1 I Classification of Elephant Figures

style colour Site Shelter NO* Of Phase

No* Figures

311* Nat* Light Red ASD 14 1 C

Red AMN 6 1 c

Red ABD 16 2 c

Part* Nat* tied 34 R 6 1 c

sil* Abs* Red A8D 16 1 c

Deco* Abs* Rad CHL 1 1 c

Dark Red BDR 4 1 c

crimson A3D 16 2 c

Red DAR 1 1 c

Part* Abs* Red PTi< 1 2 c

Out* Abs* Red CHL 1 1 c

«ed BLA 10 1 c
 lOB

10* Kara
.Seven figures of hare were recorded from six shelters

at four sites* These are executed in three colours t Red 5#

Dark Red 1 and white 1 and in two styles t 3il, Nat* 1 and

Out* Abs* 6*

Table-12 * Ciasaification of Hare Figures

style Colour site Shelter NO* of Phase

UO* Figures

sil* Nat* Hed A3D e 1 C

Out* Abs* Hed 3MR 10 1 C

Dark Rad 3IA 4 1 0

i^ed SLA 10 2 C

i^d fCRT 4 1 C

Whit® ABD 2 1 D

11* 22a
Seven figures of dog have been recorded from six

shelters at three sites* All of them are painted in rad in

the styles i sil* Nat* 5« Out Mat* 2*

12« Horse

rwenty~seven figures of horse have been recorded from

16 shelters at eight sites* They are executed in four

colours (Red 20# Light Red 5# Ochre 1 and yellow 1) and in

six styles (sil* Nat* 11« Out* Nat* 1« sil* Geo* 1# sil*

Abs* 5« oeco* Abs* 6 and Part* Abs* 3)

 110

Table-13 i Classification of Horse Fiofuras

3tyle colour site Shelter iio. of Phase

Ho« Figures

sil. i^at. Red HRL 1 1 C

Red JEH 2 1 C

Yellow GUR 4 1 C

Rad A3D 18 2 C

Red SMR 6 3 C

Red iiMR 7 2 C

Red ABD 13 1 C

Out. »at« Red ABO 16 1 C

sil« Geo* Ochre ABO 16 1 D

Sil. Abs. Red 30R 1 1 O

Red BDR 2 2 D

Red St4R 3 2 C

Deco, Abs* Red BDR 2 1 D

Light Red GUR 1 1 D

Light Red ABD 14 4 D

Part. Abs. Red CHL 1 2 C

t^d KRT 3 1 0

13, ^ (Fig. 8)

A total of 16 figures of Ox have baen recorded from 10

shelters at five sites* These arc depicted in tliree colours i

Red 10# Dark rad 3 and ’A'hite 3 and in seven styles t 3il*

Hat* 7, Out* Hat* 1, Dejo* Geo* 1, Out* Geo* 1« sil* Abs* 1#

 Ill

Deco, Abi3, 4 and Out, Abs, 1,

Table-14 t Classification of Ox Fioures

Style Colour site shelter wo, of Phase

no. Figures

Sll, Nat, Red ABD 4 1 C

Dark Red mn 2 1 c

white ABD 16 X c

Red ABD 20 4 c

Out, Hat, i^d AtJD 4 1 D

Out, 'Seo, White ABD 12 1 C

Deco, Geo* Red ABD 16 1 C

si1, Abs , Red ABD 13 1 c

Deco, Abs, Red KlvIP 1 1 c

Dark Hed 3MR 9 1 c

white Min 1 1 D

Dark ned Am 2 1 c

Out, Abs, Red CHL 1 1 c

aircs are another sxib-group of !?on-Human figures. Only

two species are found ajtiong the birds i Peacock and duclc*

Thexe are 22 drawings of peacock racorded froR' 13 shelters

at sites (Fig. 13), These are executed In three colours

(Red 15# white 3 and Ochre 4), and In six stylas (oil, Nat* 2#

Out Nat, 1, csll. Abs, 2, D eco, Abs, 3# Part, Abs, 2 and

Out, Abs, 12),

 112

Table»15 i Classification of Peacock Figures

Style Colour site shelter jjo,of Phase

No. Figures

Sil, Nat, Hod NRL 1 1 C

i^d ABD 3 1 C

Out. Nat. Rod ABD 3 1 C

Sil. Abs. Red KRT 3 1 C

K«d AI^N 6 1 D

D@co. Abs. White smr 11 1 o

Red ABD 20 2 C

Part. Abs. Ochre ABD 16 2 O

Out. Abs. Red CHL 1 1 C

white ABD 12 1 D

vmite SHR 6 1 C

iled BDR 5 1 C

Red A30 16 5 D

Ochre AQD 16 2 D

Red ABD 13 1 C

Eight figures of duclc have been recorded from three

shelters at three sites. They are executed in two colours.

Red 4 and v^hite 4 and in two styles t 3il. Nat. 4 and Out.

Abs. 4.
 113

Small creatures t

This sub-group includes 2 figures of fish and one

of scorpion* Cki& drawing of fish was recorded from sh* No. 1

at Naryaoli, drawn in red in sll, Hat* style* and another

figure frooi Sh, Ko, 8 at Atochand, executed in white in 311*

Abe* style*

A sll* Nat* figure of a scorpion was recorded from

Naryaoll in shelter No* 1# executed in red*

Apart froin the creatures listed undsr tha above sub-

gjTOup, two figures of crocodile in .>11* Nat* and in red were

recorded from shelter No* 19 at Abchand*

II Scenes

rhs cirtlsts have drawn aomr- figures which ars found

absociatGd with the other fitgures and thus these figures

for.it 2 s particular cc^iX)sition* ^Tuch coinposition comprises

the scene of battle# «-uiturc> and othcsr activities* The

dancing see'is are grouped undar culture*

Battle Scenes

Almost all the painted shelters are found decorated

with battle scenes# comprising horse-riders# elephant-

riders# royal personages, archers and soldiers* Javaliers

are shown engaged in battle# with the horses occasionally

depicted with decorated draping. Only a few riders are shown

 114

holding swords in their hands. Otherwise they are shown

riding and holding the reins* In one sceno five persons

are shown sitting on a single horse* Tliere are 165 drawings

of horsje-riders executed in six colours (t^ad 133# Dark Red 4#

white 8, Ochre 5, Bichronie 13 and Green 2) and in six styles

(sil» 16# L)eco. Geo. 1# isi1. Abs . 104, Deco • Al33. 23

and {Jut. /J03, 17) Fig • 14,

ole»*16 I clas sification of liorse-ridar fioures

Ta‘

•style colour SitG Shelter No. of •Phase

NO. Figures

sil. Nat. Red BPL 3 3 c

Red ABD 2 1 c

Red A3D 16 c

Red ABD 17 4 c

Red 3MR 7 4 c
Red SMR 10 1 c

Red PGR 2 1 c

Deco# Gqo . white A 3D 17 1 D

<:,'il. Abs . white NRL 4 1 c

ied NHt. 3 4 c

rted jea 1 c
Ahi te DAR 1 3 D

white DAR 4 2 D

«^ed CHL 1 2 C

Red ^TK 1 2 C
 115

Table-16 (cx>ntd«)

atylQ Colour site shelter NO* of Phase

No, Figures

Red BLA 9 1 C

Red GUR 3 4 c
Red GUR 4 1 c

i^d GUR 5 1 c
Red ABD 13 10 c
Green ABD 13 2 c

Red AHD 16 15 c
Ochre ABD 16 5 o

Rod ABO 19 3 c
Red ABD 20 8 c
<^d 2 3 c
Red 3KR 3 1 c

Red 3J4R 4 12 c
Red Si-IR 6 5 c
i^d :iMR 8 4 c
Red 3.MR 9 2 c
Red 3MR 11 3 c

Darlc Red 12 2 c
Red 6 5 c
Red PGR 1 2 c
Red CHL 1 5 D

Red BDR 1 2 D

Red PPR 1 1 c
 116

Pai>le-16 (CX>ntd*)

style colour site sholter No. of Phase

NO* Piguras

Deco Abs, aichrome ADD 14 13 D

Red ABD 16 2 D

Part. Abs. Red ABD 16 1 D

Hed AOD 22 3 C

Out. Abs* Darfc sed 8LA 2 2 C

Red PPR 1 7 C

Red A30 16 3 D

^d ABD 20 4 D

white SMR 4 1 D

Human figures carrying s%«ords and shields in their

hands are toruied as soldiers (Fig. 15), There are only

seven drawings where the soldiers are found depicted

independently. In majority of the cases they are depicted

along with the drawings of hx>rse and elephant-riders. The

soldiers are found ecjuipped with swords and shields. The

wall of shelter No. 4 at Semra shows a panoramic view of a

battle wher^ the soldiers and horse-riders are dra%m around

ajroyal personage. Two hiindred and nineteen figures of

soldiers have been recorded which are executed in eight

colours (Red 1Q2» Darl< Red 3* Light Red 1* Crimson 4*

white 13« Bichrome 7, Ochre 6* and Green 3) and in six styles

 117

(Part* Geo« 4# Out* Geo* 5# sll* Abs. 191# Oeco. Abs* 7»

^art* Abs* 7 and Out* Abs* 5)*

Table-17 i Classification of Soldier Fiqures

style colour site Shelter No* of Phase

NO* Figures

Part* Geo* iRed 11 4 D

Out* Geo* white FfR 2 3 D

White ADD 16 2 D

sil* Abs* Red NRL 3 5 C

Red KNP 1 1 C

Red KNP 2 8 c
Red KNP 3 6 c
Red GPR 1 2 c
Red JER 1 6 c
Dark Red JKR 2 3 c
V4hite OAR 6 1 0
Red CHL 1 8 D

Rod PTK 1 1 C

Red FXK 2 1 V#

Red 3LA 9 2 c
i^ed BLA 8 2 c
Red GUR 5 2 c
Red PPR 1 5 c
White PPR 1 1 D
Red ABO 2 1 C
 118

Table-17 (contd.)

style colour site shelter No. of Phase

No* Figures

Green A3D 13 3 C

white ABD 13 5 C

Crimson A3D 16 4 D

Ochre ABD 16 4 D

i^ed ABD 16 1 C

Red ABD 17 3 C

Red ABD 18 8 C

i^d ABD 20 11 c

Red ;3MR 1 3 c

Red 3MR 3 3 c

Red SMR 4 29 c

Bed St4R 6 7 c

Red SjMR 7 8 c

Red ^R 8 12 c

Red GWR 9 1 c

Red SMR 10 5 c

Rad J
‘ t<R 12 10 c

Red AMN 5 6 c

fled AiMN 7 2 c

Red i^GR 1 7 c

Red PGR 2 4 c
Bichrorne ABD 14 7 0

Ochre ABD 16 2 D
 119

Table-17 (contd*)

st:i^le colour Site Shelter no, of Phase

NO* Figures

Part* Abs. Hed ABD 16 4 O

Light Red 3MR 9 1 C

Out* Abs* white ABD 16 1 D

Red 3MR 2 4 C

The figures which arc shown carrying bow and arrows

aris^termed as archers, Thasa figures appear to be chasing,

running and aiming at ons another* In most of the scenes

they are depicted along v;lth soldiers* There «re forty-

sevsn figxirer. of archers painted in 21 shelters &t nine

sites* They are executed in tour colours; (ReJ 31# EJark Red 10*

white 2# and Ochro 4) and in five styias (<Xit* 3e*. 4* Sil*

Abs* 25# Daco, Abs* 2< Part, Abs, 1 c^nd Cut, Abs, 15),

Table-18 t Classification of Archer Figures

Style Colour site Shelter No, O f Phase

NO* Figures

Out, Geo* Ochre AMN 6 4 D

sil* Abs. Red Ai3D 19 1 C

Dark PvQd KNP 3 7 A

t^d JER 1 4 C

Red CHL 1 1

i^d CUR 1 1 C

Red 3 1 c
 120

TabXe-18 (contd.)

Style colour >lte shelter NO, Of Phase

NO, Figures

sil* Abs. 3MR 4 2 C

Red Af-IM 7 6 D

Red SMR 12 C

Red A 3D 16 c
Deco, Abs, V’ihite ASD 14 D

Fart* Abs. ited AMN 5 C

Out* aed ABO 20 c

Red ABD 10 A

Red DAS 7 C

Hed BLA 9 c
Rad BUV 10 c
Dark :^ed BLA 11 c
i^d S.MH 3 c
Dark Red AMN 1 A

Rad AMN 7 2 c
.^ed ABD 9 2 c
Dark Red ABD 20 1 c

Th© elephaiit-riders arz found depicted separately as

well as in association with battle scenss* The number of

rideria on an elephant varies from ona to five* Thirteen

figures have been noticed from 10 shelters at six sites*

They are executed in red and in three styles (sil* Nat* 8#

Sil* Abs* 4 and Deco* isbs* 1)*

 121

Table<-»19 i clasaificatlon of Elaphant-rider

Figures

Style Colour Site shelter No* of Phase

No* Figures

sil« Nat* BFL 3 1 C

Red SMR 4 2 C

iied SMS 8 1 c

Red SMR 7 2 C

Red SMR 12 1 C

Red K;a 2 1 c

sil. Abs* H«d i i'K 1 1 C

Ked 3 1 C

t^d ABD 16 2 C

Deco* Abs* Red bla 10 1 C

Royal personages are also found in association with

battle scenes* They are generally showi sitting on caparisoned

horses and on elephant back along with attendants, occasionally

holding a ’Chhatra* over the head of the royal personage* There

are six exajnplos frota five shelters at three sites i The figures

are executed in rad and in four stylos (sil. f3at* 3# DecO*

Nat* 1« .>il« Abs* 1 and Deco* Abs* 1)*

 122

TabXq~20 t Classification of RoyaX Personage Figures

style colour site shelter No, of Phase

Ko* Figures

sil, Nat. Red SMR 4 C

i^d aMR 6 c

Red A3D 16 c

Deco, Nat, Red smr 4 c

sil# Abs* Sed ABD 18 c

oeco, Abs* Red tPR 1 D

Cultural scenes

Under this heading the major item recorded is of

dancing scenes including druimiers# Only one druaatjer is

found depicted independently* Otherwise they are found

together with dancers* The dancers are generally ohown in

a row* Both men and women are shown participating in dance*

They are found depicted in j>airs as well as in groups of

3# 4# 5# 8, 10, 11 and 16 persons* Often the dancers are

depicted in groups ordered in linear alternation of man and

women holding hands of successiva figures hooking the crook

of the elbow of the preceding figure's left arsi»» which is

held aJcitnbo* A solitary fe-T^ale figure in s^Hjlter No* 6

at s ^ r a is depicted with one arm akimbo and the other

holding soine unidentifiable object placed cn the he>ad/ and

the body curved in a striking evocation of rhythmic movement,

 123

Elght^^even figures of dancers have been recorded frcwn

nine shelters at five sites* They are executed In four

colours (i^d 23, Dark :i®<3 47, ’

.,’hite 8 and Ochre 4) and

In five styles (sil* Geo, 6# Fart. Geo# 10# sll# Abs» 56#

l)eco, /'Jos* 4 and (Ajt, Abs, 11 (Fig* 16).

rable-21 I Classification of Dancer Figtires

style colour site Jheltar uo, of Phase

So, Ficiurfss

Sil, Geo, Red 4 4 3

Dark Red AQD 13 2 3

Fart. ‘
CSeo, Dark Red ABD 16 10 D

sil, /lbs. Red KNP 3 1 C

Dark aed SLA 1 11 B

Dark Red ABD 4 16 3

Dark Red SMR 6 5 B

white A 3D 13 8 /
W-»

Red ABD 13 15 C

Deco, Abs, Ochre AJ^-N 1 4 B

Out* Abs* Dark vHed 4 3 B

Red ABD 22 8 B

Men are shown with drums attached to the waiut# with

both aritis aloft as if in readiness to strika with either

outstreched fingers or with drum sticks of diversa siiapes.

 124

Eight drummers are ©xacutod in three colours (Red 5,

Dark red 1 and critr.son 2) and in two styles (Part, Geo. 5#

sil. Abs. 3)(Pig. 17).

Table■*22 i Claasification of Druirtmer Figures

style colour Site Shelter No. of Phase

no* Figures

Part. Geo* Red A3D 16 3 C

Ked ABO 13 2 C

sil. Abs* Crimson ABO 19 2 C

Dark Red PTK 1 1 C

Other Scenes

Apart from the x^reviously cn^ntioned ncanes# hun^n

figures are also depicted engaged in various day to day

activities# especially hunting* In one sceno, in shelter

NO* 8 at Abe hand# a deer is shown surrounded by hunters arsnsd

with spears .ind bows ana arrows# with four arrows struck

on the head and one on the torso cowards the hind quarters.

Another scenc# in shelter No. 4 at /ibchand# shows a iDoar

struclc with an arrow# with a hunter coming in behind for

the kill. Only 13 figures of huntars were recorded from four

shelters at a single site. They are executed in two colours

(lied 5# Dark f^ed 8) and in t^iree styles (Out. GeO. 2# Sil.

Abs. 3 and Out. Abs. 6) (pig. 19)•

 Table-23 t Clasaification of t*anter Figures

iCyla colour Site shelter of Phase

NO* Figures

Out* Geo* Red ABD 20 2 A

Sil* Abs* DarJc Red ABD 4 1 B

Dark Red ABD 20 2 A

uut* Abs* i^d A3D 8 3 B

Dark Hed A3D 10 5 B

Twelve huir.an figures are found carrying some load on

thieir shoulders* fhsse figures are classified as "load bearers'*!

At Abchand# there is a figure of a man with ’Kanwar* on his

shoulder* Thetfc figures are found executed in Dark Red (9)

and white (3) in Out* Abs* style*

Table-24 I Classification of Load-bearer Fitmres

Style colour site Shelter NO* Of Pha^e

NO* Figures

Out* Abs* Dark Red ABD 10 1 C

Dark Red A8D 22 S B

Dark Red A3D 20 3 C

white ABD 13 3 c
 12G

Only five children are found depleted along with

men* Of these# three are shown with load-i»earers and tv?o

playing or running among a group of dancers* A naturalistic

scen -2 shows a pair of bulls standing opposite each other

with a man with an axe behind one of titem* Another man is

shown digging the ground with a traingular iniplement. There

is also 3 unique drawing in silhouette# of two persons arm

In ann with the fore amris hsld away from the bodies and the

legs of one of the £ig\ire flung to tha sides as if the othar

were holding him up in some form of gyratory motion (Pig. 5,3)•

 .127

RELIGION

The cave artist has created somo symboiic representations

In abstract or in geometric forms in the shelters* It is

difficult to say that all these forms have religious

significance* However# scxne of the designs or symbols can

be attributed with soitic religious affinity* The cave artist

of ijarly historic period was most probably awari; of the

significance of the syir.bols or designs which ha portrayed on

the walls of the shelters. These ayrabcls include sun# wheel#

decorative circles* squares# treo# pot or ghate# zigzag

lir*23# Nandipada# cross# Alpana designs# etc*

It seems very likely that sane religious rnotivation

was responsible for these poirtrayals*

..t> etjcounter 3 tiyuras of ^wastike like sya’bcl in

ochie colour In ahelter 16 at /Jachand* iliose figures are

four aru.cd and intersbct at a poinc* Tlric arms ar® not

regularly &yrt*.i.£trical and are not cwnplcte to the extent

that they can fully suggest the original form of a .iwastika

(Fig* 26*6)* SornetiiTiGS it leaves a doubt as to whether it

represents a trident vihoae long shaft has been turned inward*

In that case the symbol could be related to rsaivAsm* However#

these syntbols scam to be more akin to swastika than the

trident*

The antiquity of Surya worship can bo traced to th«

 128

Vedtc period* Kvon the early punchn>arked coins dating back

to 6th - 5th Centuary a*C. portray :iurya syiabol. 'Phe cave

artists have also depicted these symbols* we have three

such symbols# 2 at Blla in shelter numbar 8 and 1 at ^^bGhand•

They are in red colour# Hie figures at alia are shown with

rays spreading from a circular point v/horeas the figure at

Abchand is shovfn in a dotted cirdo* There is little doubt

that these were sun symbols and were pjrobably painted with a

religioi^s motive behind it*

We have 3 decorative circles which are divided into

tw<^pairs of unequal quadrants. The opposite quadrants are

alrfiOtst squal and one of tlie pair is fotind shaded (Pig* 18)*

rhaae syriibols faight represent tho sun# because an alirtoat

similar design is found on the walls of the tribal people

in F>agar district*

some of the floral designs in geometrical form

(Fig* 26) rasi^jnble the desi^s used by local villagers

during religious occasions*

Trees with pedestal were recorded from Abchand* One

is found executed in white and having branches only and another

tree figure in red has birds sitting on the branches* This

kind of tree with pedestal was worshiped by the Buddhists as

well as the Jains* Wa see such depictions at Sanchi# Bharhut#

Atuaravati (Bussagli 1972 1 66# 105)# Udaigiri Xhandagirl (Mohapatra

1981 il56) ejrid many other places dating back to 2nd-l3t Century 8*c,
 129

At Chltanll* a kalasha at ghata# probably with a

perforated lid (Pig* 26.6) has been depicted In black out­

line. It has decoration all over the body. It looks more

like a ritual pot rather than a utilitarian one.

Pour zlg zag lines drawn are above the other one

found at Abchand in Shelter No, 21* These resemble the

design of serpents made by the local villagers during

Nagpanchml festival*

A solitary example of Nandlpada sign (Pig. 26.4),

painted in red comes from Bhapail in shelter No. 1. It is

essentially a i^:aivite emblam. It either suggests saivite

influence on the artists or the cave was probably inhabited

by Saivlte ascetics during early historic period.

C*»e Alpana design is found in shelter 9 at Dari. vJuch

designs are decorative and auspicious in nature and they are

believed to represent Laxaird# the goddess of vraalth.

Hand prints are also fairly common. Thirty-nine

prints are found stamped on the walls and cciling at Abchand.

These are executed in red (3)# Ochre (24) and white (12).
 130

Ritual t
The dancing scenes are also perhaps# a part of a

ritual but# for convenience# they are classified under

cultural scenes* At Abchand in shelter Uo* 13# a scene

which can be said to be a ritual was recorded* It

comprises 9 dancers dancing around a fire (the firs is

symbolized by three concentric circles)# with a sorcerer

positioned just above the dancers.

Material culture i

rhe capacity for observation and fidelity to the

living world of an artist are best illustratao in the

depiction of Items of material culture# "rhe roain material

objects depicted in Sagar region are weapons# traps# head­

gear and GOstiu(»es whil <2 in other areas in India we also

find the depiction of omain^nts# huts# vehicles and utensils

(wakankar 1973* 432 # Mathpal 1984* 164)* Apart from the

objects# there are somti battle scones depicting decorative

round flags held by attendants* In another case human

fitjures are found depicted with clubs*

Material objects are studied under the following

headings i
 131

weapons i

The weai^ons depicted in the paintings include sticks#

bov/s and arrovjs# spears# swords# shields# scimitars and

axes* There are scenes in which human figures are shown

carrying sticks in their hands* one figure at Abchand in

shelter No, 20 is shown keeping a long stick on his shoulder

(Fig* 5*8)* Oows and arrows are corattran weapons associated

with archers and hunters* .'Jometimes arrows are shown barbed*

Generally, foot soldiers are shown carrying swords and

shields# horse and elaphant-riders are rarely shown carrying

these weapons* Three types of swords are foundt straight#

curved and broad blade swords, Itie shields are also found

in 3 shapes I round# semi-circular and rectangular* In one

scene at Paqara# a horse rider is depicted with a spear in

his hand# and in another seens at Abchand# a man is found

holding an axe in his hand with a pair of bulls alongside*

Headgear t

Hoadgear of the following shapes ere depicted in the

paintings i

1* Triangular shape Abchand# sh* Ho* 10 Fig* 5*5

2* Circular shape Semra# sh* No* 7 Fig, 15*5

3* Oval saape Abchond# sh* MO* 10 Pig* 22

4* r^.ctangular shape Amaoni# sh* MO* 1 Fig* 16*3

5* Hooked shape Abchand# sh* tJo* 10 Fig* 22

6* Homed shape Abchand# sh* No* 2 Pig* 15*3

 132

Clothing t

Generally men and v«5msn are depicted without any

custume over their body but some drawings show gaxrments

which are classified! as follows t

i) Long flapping loin cloth Khanpur# sh.Mo.l# ir'l.I

ii) soft waist covering Khanpur# sh«;}o.l. Pi.I

iii) crude waist covering made of leaves Ainaoni# sh»No»4

.^I.XIV a

iv) Gown like dress upto knees Abchand# sh«No«13« PlaVIll

v) Govm like dress upto ankles Atnaoni# sh*No«l« Pig.l6*l«3

vi) rriangular waist covering Abchend# sh»No»10# Pig*22

vii) i-kirt like dress Abchaad# sh,I^o.l3

viii) l^oti like dress (up to knee) Semra# sh*:{o«ll« Fig«15.8