Which City of Madhya Pradesh is Known for Bhimbetka Caves?

The Bhimbetka caves are an important historical site in India. They are located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. These caves are famous for their ancient rock paintings. Many people visit these caves to learn about early human life and art. The Bhimbetka caves are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. They are not far from a city in Madhya Pradesh.

An Overview of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is a state located in the central part of India. Its capital city is Bhopal, while Indore is the largest city in the state. Other important cities include Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Dewas, Sagar, Chhindwara, and Rewa. Madhya Pradesh is the second biggest state in India in terms of area and the fifth most populous, with over 72 million people living there. The state shares its borders with Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the east, Maharashtra to the south, Gujarat to the west, and Rajasthan to the northwest.

Administrative Divisions of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh has 55 districts, which are organized into 10 divisions. As of now, the state has 55 district panchayats (local government bodies), 376 tehsils (administrative areas), 313 blocks or janpad panchayats, and 23,043 village panchayats. The state also has different types of municipalities, including 18 big city corporations (Nagar Nigams), 100 city councils (Nagar Palikas), and 264 town councils (Nagar Panchayats).

Location of Bhimbetka Caves in Madhya Pradesh

The Bhimbetka rock shelters are situated in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, near the Vindhya mountain range. They are located about 45 kilometers southeast of Bhopal and just 9 kilometers from the town of Obedullaganj. The shelters are within the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and are surrounded by sandstone hills.

Discovery of Bhimbetka Caves

Bhimbetka was first mentioned in 1888 by a British officer named W. Kincaid. However, he thought it was a Buddhist site based on local stories. The true importance of Bhimbetka was discovered by archaeologist V. S. Wakankar in 1957. He noticed the rock formations were similar to those he had seen in Spain and France. Wakankar, along with other archaeologists, found many prehistoric rock shelters, which led to the site being further studied.

Historical Significance of Bhimbetka Caves of Madhya Pradesh

Bhimbetka is now known to contain over 750 rock shelters, with around 243 in the main Bhimbetka area and another 178 in a nearby area called Lakha Juar. These shelters have evidence of human life from the Stone Age, including tools and rock paintings. The site has also revealed some of the oldest stone walls and floors in the world. It has been inhabited by humans from the late Acheulian period (about 100,000 years ago) to around the 2nd century BCE.