Visit of the 16th Finance Commission to Bhimbetka - A UNESCO World Heritage Site
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission visited Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Key Focus | Examined the artistic and historical significance of Bhimbetka's rock paintings, themes (mass dance, hunting, war), and mineral colors used (ochre, red, white). |
| Proposed Development | The Commission was informed about the proposed 'Rock Art Eco Park Museum'. |
| Location of Bhimbetka | Situated south of Bhopal in the Vindhya mountain range, Madhya Pradesh. |
| Discovery | Discovered by V.S. Wakankar in 1957-58. |
| UNESCO Recognition | Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. |
| Age of Paintings | Oldest paintings are estimated to be 30,000 years old, dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Chalcolithic, Early Historic, and Medieval periods. Most paintings are from the Mesolithic era. |
| Painting Technique | Uses natural colors like red ochre, purple, brown, white, yellow, and green. |
| Themes of Paintings | Depicts everyday life, animals (elephants, bison, deer, peacocks, snakes), hunting scenes, battle scenes, and simple geometric designs. |
| Finance Commission | Constitutional body under Article 280 of the Constitution. Constituted every five years by the President. Ensures equitable allocation of revenue resources between the Union and the States. |
| Historical Context | The first Finance Commission was constituted in 1951. Currently, the 16th Finance Commission is functioning. |