Wargal Rock Art

Wargal Rock Art – Siddipet District, Telangana

Prehistoric Paintings at Shambhuni Gutta | c. 10,000 BCE – Megalithic Age

12 ft x 25 ft Canvas | Brahmi & Early Telugu Scripts | Hunting & Daily Life Scenes | 20+ Animal Figures

Glory of the prehistoric period reflects in the rock paintings in the small temple town of Wargal, throwing light on the rich wildlife and tradition of the Stone Age. One of those marvels left behind by history for posterity – rock art – continues to be the delight of archaeological experts and young students. Historians from Telangana are busy deciphering the ancient paintings at the rock shelters here at Wargal in Siddipet district.

Rock paintings at Wargal showing ancient art and symbols

Significance
These rock paintings found in parts of the State show the love humans had for art and nature as long ago as 10,000 BCE. They provide ample evidence that a large number of wild animals were present in the State centuries ago.

Location: Shambhuni Gutta

Shambhuni Gutta (Shambu’s Hill), beside the famous Saraswathi temple here, has already emerged as a great spot for explorations relating to prehistoric life. The roofs of the caves in the hill have red pictures. The archaeological department found some of these paintings, but a lot of them are yet to be explored further.

Historians and Deciphering Efforts

Two archaeological experts – Ramoju Haragopal and Srinivas – with their assistant Chanti, tried to decode the message that had been hidden in the form of art.

Southern Side of the Cave

They found a painting of a creature that looked like a crane and three persons at the southern side of the cave. Among the three, one is a female. The depiction resembles the paintings found at Asthalapur in Medak district. Most of the paintings found on the roof look like scripts.

Scripts and Letters
The circles and semi‑circles of this script seemed difficult to interpret. Letters that sound ‘Ya’, ‘ka’, ‘tha’, ‘ga’ of Brahmi script along with letters of early Telugu are seen on these walls.

Eastern Side – The Grand Rock Canvas

Different paintings depicting the culture and traditions of that time on a huge rock canvas of 12 feet height and 25 feet length can be found on the eastern side of the hill. More than 20 paintings of oxen, cows with udders, pigs, and a man hunting a tiger are seen on this portrait. Another man’s painting is unclear. All these paintings are of great skill and are in colour and without colour.

Anthropomorphic Drawing
An anthropomorphic drawing resembling the depictions at Neeladri rock art found in Khammam district is also seen here. The drawings of animals like deer, stags, and tools denote that the scenery belonged to the medieval period.

Period and Dating

According to the observations of historians, the period of the paintings spanned from Medieval Stone Age to Megalithic Age.

Context – Prehistoric Rock Art in India

Central India is the richest zone of prehistoric rock art in India. The highest concentration of rock art sites is situated in the Satpura, Vindhya and Kaimur Hills. These hills are formed of sandstones, which weather relatively faster to form rock shelters and caves. They are located in dense forest and were ecologically ideal for occupation by primitives. They were used for habitation in the Stone Age and even in later periods. Inside the caves on the walls and ceilings, artists painted their favourite animals or human forms, symbols, daily life, hunting and fighting.

Summary: Wargal’s Prehistoric Treasure

Wargal stands as a remarkable prehistoric art gallery in Telangana. The rock shelter at Shambhuni Gutta contains a continuous record of artistic expression from the Mesolithic/Neolithic to the Megalithic Iron Age. The presence of Brahmi and early Telugu letters, realistic animal figures, hunting scenes, and anthropomorphic drawings makes it a site of exceptional archaeological and linguistic importance. The 12 ft x 25 ft canvas with over 20 paintings of oxen, cows, pigs, tigers, deer, stags, and tools provides a vivid window into the region’s ancient wildlife and human traditions.

Source

• The Hans India – Wargal wows rock art lovers (15 January 2016)
• Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam (KTCB) – field observations by Ramoju Haragopal, Srinivas, and Chanti.
• Neeladri rock art, Khammam district – comparative anthropomorphic drawings.
• Asthalapur rock art, Medak district – similar depiction of three persons (one female).

The rock art of Wargal is a testament to the rich prehistoric heritage of Telangana, bridging the gap between the Stone Age and early historical periods. It awaits further exploration and preservation.