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It faces north east. Some of the letters are sharply cut, but the
incision-marks of the majority do not show sharp cutting. It seems that an
iron chisel was not used. Some of the letters are partly cut and partly
painted, while some letters are only in paint, but the majority are
completely cut. It is evident that all the letters were first painted before
being incised, which was the method regularly employed in the period of
Brahmi inscription.
The color of the paint is red ochre, with which we are familiar in
the pre-historic and historic caves and cave-buildings in India. The
inscription was discovered by an educated Sadhu, Swami Jnamananda. An
examination of the letters, which at first sight give the impression of
having Brahmi forms, showed that the writing was a mixture of Brahmi forms
and a developed type of the Mohenjodaro script. Due to that some Historian
links the inscription as an intermediary between Harappan and earliest
Brahmi.
Vikramkhol also spelled Bikramkhol lies in Reserved Forest of Belpahar
range, at a distance of 12 k.m. from Belpahar. The place is known for
prehistoric rock art and rock inscriptions dated around 3000 BCE. Details
about the caves were first published in Indian Antiquary in 1935 by the
efforts of historian K.P.Jayaswal. The inscriptions were studied in 1955.
The inscriptions are yet to be studied in detail. A replica of the
inscription is exhibited in State Museum of Odisha. Some historians have
felt that, due to negligence and apathy by Government agencies, the
inscriptions are fading out and damaged by vandals. Activities of Coal mines
in surrounding hills, industries like sponge iron are putting environmental
pressure on this prehistoric archeological site.
The rock shelter, where the inscriptions are found, is not fully protected
and kept open to atmosphere, giving scope for vandals and visitors to deface
the inscriptions. As it is located inside Reserve Forest of Belpahar range,
the remote access to the place has also contributed to neglect by Government
Agencies. In this inaccessible dense forest ancient people lived surviving
on fruits, roots and animal meat. During 4000 BC there was evolution of
human civilization in the region and a script was developed by them.
Circular holes have been dug in the wall where weapons, dress and
other articles of use were being kept suspended. Even on the floors circular
holes have been dug to pound the grains. Bikramkhol has been declared a
tourist spot by the Central Government and tourists, historians and
researchers from all over the country and abroad. Local Peoples Came here
for Picnic also, due to this area facing a huge challange for its survival.
Getting There
The Shelter is situated at a distance of 26 km to the west of
Jharusguda. Take Route from Jharasuguda to Belpahad, then on Belpahad take
route towards Grindola. On Grindola you can see a small temple named
manikeswari Temple. In that Road take left turn in a forest kutcha road
towards Bikramkhol, On near Village Teteyabahal a two lined footstep road
goes towards Vikramkhol.
Jharsuguda is well connected with
other nearby cities by State Highway 10 and National Highway. Rickshaws are
available in town. There are a number of moderately priced
hotels in the town.
Jharsuguda is an important
railway junction on the Tatanagar–Bilaspur section of Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai
line and Jharsuguda-Vizianagaram line. The railway station comes under South
Eastern Railway.
Jharsuguda has its own airport named
Jharsuguda Airport,
located 5 km north east of the town.
Air Odisha is starting
chartered services to
Jharsuguda Airport from its main hub
at Biju Patnaik
International Airport, Bhubaneswar.
The nearest domestic / international airport is
Swami Vivekananda International Airport, located in
Raipur, 310 km southwest of Jharsuguda. It is about
five hours
drive to Swami Vivekananda
International Airport from Jharsuguda. To make arrangements for a taxi from Airport
to Jharsuguda, contact one the taxi operators and travel agents that have
counter in the Airport.
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