Title Revise Art & Culture For UPSC IAS 2026 Prelim & Mains Exam.pdf ✅

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Chapter 1 Prehistoric Rock Paintings 1. Introduction to Prehistoric Art: ● Prehistoric Period: Refers to the time when no written records existed, and knowledge about early human life comes from archaeological excavations. ● Art as Expression: Prehistoric people expressed themselves through cave paintings and engravings, using natural surfaces like rock walls. 2. First Discovery of Prehistoric Art in India: ● Discovered by Archibold Carlleyle: In 1867-68, an archaeologist first discovered prehistoric rock paintings in India, predating the discovery of Altamira in Spain. ● Early explorers like Cockburn, Anderson, Mitra, and Ghosh contributed to the identification of more prehistoric sites across India. 3. Locations of Prehistoric Rock Paintings: ● Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh): One of the largest and most famous sites with over 500 painted rock shelters, discovered by V.S. Wakankar in 1957-58. ● Lakhudiyar (Uttarakhand): Known for geometric patterns and stick-like human figures. ● Other Sites: Paintings are found in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, and the Kumaon Hills. ● Caves in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: Sites like Kupgallu, Piklihal, and Tekkalkota are known for Neolithic paintings. 4. Themes and Subjects of Prehistoric Paintings: ● Animal Figures: Predominantly large animals such as elephants, tigers, rhinos, boars, and bisons are commonly depicted. IAS Oriented © 2025 | All Rights Reserved | www.iasoriented.in IAS Oriented