Question 1 · 10 marks · 202 words written
Opening · a recent event
Recently, UNESCO added India's Bhimbetka caves in world Heritage list — exemplifying India's rich visual-autobiography culture.
Body · points
Prehistoric beliefs & social practices
(1) Religious practices can be observed in the Mesolithic cave sites where painting depicts a fire altar surrounded by few men and a individual highlighted may be the instructor.
(2) Gender based division of labour Mesolithic & Neolithic cave sites shows women doing household chores like cooking while men hunting animals.
(3) Symbolic representation Buddhist cave sites like Udaygiri-Khandgiri caves shows empty chair, wheels depicting Dharmachakra Parivartana, etc.
(4) Social practices like dancing & playing Many cave sites depicts children playing or group of people dancing in circles. This shows the social-gatherings followed that time.
(5) Use of natural colours & Aesthetics Cave paintings also shows use of natural colours, showcasing the level of aesthetics and deep knowledge of nature.
(6) Economic practices like hunting & the weapons of the time are also depicted in the caves.
(7) Chaityas & Viharas of Jainism & Buddhism
Close · a summary
Kanheri caves, Pandavleni caves depicts various ritual activities of Buddhism and later jainism by Parivarjika & Shraman.
If art is reflection of society, Indian cave architecture & paintings are the best reflections of the Indian civilisation.