Class 11 Fine Art Notes Chapter 1 (Chapter 1) – An Introduction to Indian Art Part-I Book

Alright class, let's delve into the very beginnings of artistic expression on the Indian subcontinent. Chapter 1, 'Prehistoric Rock Paintings', is crucial because it gives us a window into the lives of the earliest inhabitants of India, long before written history began. These paintings are invaluable archaeological sources.

Chapter 1: Prehistoric Rock Paintings - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. Introduction & Significance:

• Definition: Prehistoric rock paintings are artworks found on the walls of rock shelters and natural caves, created by people who lived during the Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Chalcolithic (Copper-Stone Age) periods.
• Importance: They are primary sources for understanding the socio-cultural environment, lifestyle, beliefs, and cognitive abilities of prehistoric humans. They depict their daily activities, hunting practices, community life, and relationship with nature.
• Terminology: Also known as 'Petrographs' (paintings on rock) or 'Cave Art'. Note: 'Petroglyphs' are engravings on rock, which are different but sometimes found alongside paintings.

2. Discovery:

• The first discovery of rock paintings in India was made in 1867–68 by archaeologist Archibold Carlleyle at Sohagighat in the Kaimur Hills, Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh.
• Other early discoverers include J. Cockburn, Anderson, Mitra, and Ghosh.
• However, the significance of these findings was recognized much later.
• V.S. Wakankar played a pivotal role in discovering and studying numerous sites, most notably Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh in 1957-58.

3. Major Sites:

• Rock paintings are found across India, primarily in rock shelters located in hilly regions, often near water sources.
• Madhya Pradesh: Possesses the largest concentration of sites.
  • Bhimbetka: Located in the Raisen district, south of Bhopal, within the Vindhya Hills. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site with hundreds of painted rock shelters spanning from Upper Palaeolithic to Medieval times. Shows continuity of human settlement and artistic activity.
  • Adamgarh: Near Hoshangabad. Known for Mesolithic paintings, including a famous depiction of a large rhinoceros.
  • Pachmarhi: Known for rich paintings, some showing armed horse riders (later period).
  • Lakha Juar: Near Vidisha-Bhopal.
• Uttar Pradesh:
  • Mirzapur District (Kaimur Hills): Sites like Sohagighat, Likhunia, Kohbar. Early discoveries were made here.
• Chhattisgarh:
  • Raigarh area: Kabra Pahar, Singhanpur.
• Odisha:
  • Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts.
• Karnataka:
  • Kupgallu, Piklihal, Tekkalkota. Known for Neolithic paintings, often depicting cattle.
• Andhra Pradesh:
  • Kurnool district.
• Bihar:
  • Kaimur Hills extension.
• Uttarakhand:
  • Kumaon Hills: Sites like Lakhudiyar (meaning 'one lakh caves') on the banks of the River Suyal near Almora. Features paintings of humans (stick-like forms, dancing), animals, and geometric patterns in black, red, and white. Shows superimposition of paintings.
• Kashmir: While not rock paintings, evidence of art in the form of engraved pebbles from the Neolithic site of Burzahom is relevant.

4. Chronological Periods & Characteristics:

• a) Upper Palaeolithic Period: (Approx. 40,000 – 10,000 BCE)

  • Themes: Primarily large animals like bison, elephants, tigers, rhinos, and boars. Human figures are rare, often stick-like.
  • Style: Large figures, often in profile. Use of geometric patterns and abstract symbols. Paintings are often washed out or faded.
  • Colours: Mostly mineral reds (ochre) and greens.
  • Examples: Found deep within Bhimbetka caves, suggesting ritualistic importance. Linear representations.

• b) Mesolithic Period: (Approx. 10,000 – 4,000 BCE)

  • Themes: Widest range of themes. Hunting scenes are most common, depicting groups of people hunting animals with spears, bows, and arrows. Also show fishing, trapping, dancing, music (playing instruments), food gathering, childbirth, burial, and communal activities. Animals are shown more naturally, but smaller than in the Palaeolithic period.
  • Style: Smaller figures compared to Palaeolithic. Dynamic movement is characteristic, especially in hunting and dancing scenes. Stick-like human figures, but often shown in groups, indicating community life. X-ray like depictions (showing internal organs) are sometimes seen.
  • Colours: Red ochre is predominant, white is also common.
  • Examples: Abundant at Bhimbetka, Adamgarh, Mirzapur. This period saw the most prolific rock art activity.

• c) Chalcolithic Period: (Approx. 4,000 – 1,500 BCE, varies regionally)

  • Themes: Shows contact and interaction with settled agricultural communities of the plains. Depictions include pottery, metal tools, cattle rearing, transport (bullock carts). Battle scenes with shields, spears, bows, and arrows become more elaborate.
  • Style: Figures often schematic and stylized, losing some of the earlier dynamism. Geometric patterns increase, possibly influenced by pottery designs. Superimposition/overlapping of paintings from different periods is common.
  • Colours: Green and yellow begin to appear more frequently, alongside red and white.
  • Examples: Found at Bhimbetka and other sites, often painted over earlier Mesolithic works.

5. Techniques and Materials:

• Surface: Paintings were made on the quartzitic rock walls and ceilings of natural caves and shelters, often prepared by smoothening the surface.
• Colours: Derived from minerals.
  • Red: Haematite (iron oxide, geru).
  • White: Limestone or Kaolin.
  • Green: Chalcedony (a green-coloured stone).
  • Yellow: Iron oxides (limonite).
  • Black: Charcoal or Manganese.
  • Minerals were ground into powder and mixed with a binder like water, animal fat, plant gum/resin, or possibly blood/urine.
• Brushes: Made from plant fibres, twigs, animal hair, feathers, or fingers were used directly. Some fine lines suggest porcupine quills or similar tools. Stencils were possibly used for some shapes.
• Process: Outline often drawn first, then filled with colour. Sometimes dry colour (crayons) was used.

6. Style and Features:

• Perspective: Often lacked formal perspective. Sometimes twisted perspective (e.g., head in profile, horns frontal) was used.
• Composition: Ranged from single figures to complex scenes with multiple figures. Superimposition (painting over older paintings) is very common, especially at Bhimbetka, indicating long-term use of shelters.
• Figurative Style: Varied from naturalistic (especially animals in Palaeolithic) to symbolic, schematic, and stick-like (especially humans in Mesolithic).
• Movement: Mesolithic paintings excel at depicting movement and energy.

7. Significance & Interpretation:

• Provides direct evidence of the daily life, environment, technology (tools, weapons), social structure, and beliefs (rituals, magic, dance) of prehistoric people.
• Shows cognitive development – ability for abstract thought, symbolism, and artistic expression.
• Reflects changes in climate, fauna, and human subsistence patterns over millennia.
• Art for art's sake, ritualistic purposes, sympathetic magic (to ensure successful hunts), storytelling, marking territory – multiple interpretations exist.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Who made the first discovery of prehistoric rock paintings in India in 1867-68?
   a) V.S. Wakankar
   b) J. Cockburn
   c) Archibold Carlleyle
   d) D.H. Gordon

2. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Bhimbetka, famous for its rock shelters, is located in which Indian state?
   a) Uttar Pradesh
   b) Madhya Pradesh
   c) Chhattisgarh
   d) Karnataka

3. Which period of prehistoric art is particularly known for its dynamic scenes of group hunting, fishing, and dancing, often featuring smaller figures compared to earlier periods?
   a) Upper Palaeolithic
   b) Mesolithic
   c) Chalcolithic
   d) Neolithic

4. The rock paintings at Lakhudiyar, featuring stick-like human figures and animals, are located near the river Suyal in which state?
   a) Madhya Pradesh
   b) Bihar
   c) Uttarakhand
   d) Odisha

5. What mineral was commonly ground to produce red colour (ochre) used in prehistoric paintings?
   a) Limestone
   b) Chalcedony
   c) Manganese
   d) Haematite

6. Large animal figures like bison, tigers, and rhinos are most characteristic of which period of Indian rock art?
   a) Upper Palaeolithic
   b) Mesolithic
   c) Chalcolithic
   d) Iron Age

7. The technique of painting over older paintings on the same rock surface is known as:
   a) Engraving
   b) Stencilling
   c) Superimposition
   d) Petroglyph

8. Which of the following themes became more prominent in the Chalcolithic period rock paintings, indicating contact with agricultural communities?
   a) Large solitary animals
   b) Abstract geometric patterns only
   c) Depictions of pottery and cattle rearing
   d) Stick-like human figures in isolation

9. V.S. Wakankar is credited with the discovery and extensive study of which major rock art site in 1957-58?
   a) Adamgarh
   b) Mirzapur
   c) Bhimbetka
   d) Kupgallu

10. Prehistoric artists used various materials as binders for their mineral pigments. Which of the following was likely used?
    a) Cement
    b) Oil paints
    c) Water or animal fat
    d) Synthetic glue

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Archibold Carlleyle
2. b) Madhya Pradesh
3. b) Mesolithic
4. c) Uttarakhand
5. d) Haematite
6. a) Upper Palaeolithic
7. c) Superimposition
8. c) Depictions of pottery and cattle rearing
9. c) Bhimbetka
10. c) Water or animal fat

Make sure you revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding the timeline, key sites, and the characteristics of art in different prehistoric periods is essential. Good luck with your preparation!