Which of the following Indian Archaeologists first visited ‘Bhimbetka Caves’ and discovered prehistoric significance of its rock paintings?

The answer is C, V.S. Wakankar. While travelling by train in the late 1950s (1957-58), Wakankar noticed the rocky hills of the Vindhyan range in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, and recognised rock shelters with painted walls. His survey established Bhimbetka as a major prehistoric site. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2003), and it is a standard example of Palaeolithic to Mesolithic rock art in Indian prehistory.

• A (Madho Swaroop Vatsa): Known for his excavations at Harappa in the 1920s-30s, not for discovering Bhimbetka.
• B (H.D. Sankalia): A major figure in Indian prehistory and Deccan archaeology, and a pioneer of Indian stone-age studies, but not the first to visit Bhimbetka.
• D (V.N. Mishra): Carried out later and more systematic excavation and dating work at Bhimbetka, so he is often associated with the site, but he was not its discoverer.

The concept here is the distinction between discovery and later excavation or research. For Mains, Bhimbetka links to the study of early human settlement, rock art as a source of social and cultural history, and the policy of heritage conservation.

Trap: Candidates often pick Mishra because he is more closely linked to the excavations. Read whether the question asks about the first visit or the later scientific work.