MODULE - 1 Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization

Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture

4
Notes

SCULPTURE OF INDUS VALLEY

CIVILIZATION

Dear learner, I think you must have seen various statuses of India. Do you know
about sculpture? Let us learn about sculpture in India. Sculpture in India has a
hoary history. The earliest traces of civilization have been found in the Indus Valley.
Surprisingly, they indicate the presence of a very sophisticated urban civilization.
General Cunningham and Rakhal Das Bannerjee first conducted excavations in the
ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, both now in Pakistan. More centres
of this civilization came to light in later excavations in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh and Punjab. Since the area of the Indus Valley Civilization was so large,
excavations have yielded a large number of sculptures.
Based on their medium, sculptures could be divided into three categories: 1. metal
sculptures, 2. stone sculptures, 3. terracotta sculptures. Indus Valley Civilization
stone sculptures are comparatively few in number. Eleven were excavated at
Mohenjodaro and two at Harappa. They are made of alabaster, steatite, limestone,
sandstone, and greystone. The terracotta sculptures include human and animal
figurines and toys. The metal sculptures of the Indus Valley Civilization are artistic
and have been made using sophisticated techniques. Apart from the figurines, the
excavations also yielded seals, coins, jewellery and toys which opened a window
into the environs and everyday life of the inhabitants.

OBJECTIVES
After learning the lesson, the learner will be able to:
z learn about the Indus Valley civilization;
z state the name who explored this civilization;

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Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
z identify where the traces of this civilization have been found; Indian Painting and
z describe the sculptures in different mediums; Sculpture

z explain about the medium, form and size of the artifacts described in this
lesson.

4.1 PRIEST BUST

Notes
Dear learner, first you will understand a well known artifact, Priest Bust.

Basic Information
This steatite bust of the priest king is the most well-known artifact from the Indus
Valley Civilization. It presents several clues about contemporary culture and life

Fig. 4.1: Priest Bust

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 MODULE - 1 Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and style. The jewels on his forehead arm and the cloak draped over the left shoulder
Sculpture hint at the wearer’s high socio-economic status. His trimmed beard and neatly
combed hair indicate a certain sense of fashion. The trefoil motifs on the shawl -
it is not clear whether they are printed, embroidered or woven - show that people
had begun to adorn textiles.
The detail and neatness of the sculpture bear testimony to the high level of technical
Notes and craft skills in the Indus Valley Civilization.
Title : Priest Bust
Medium : Steatite
Size : 14.25 × 11 C.M.
Find location : Mohenjodaro
Collection : Karachi National Museum, Pakistan

General Description
Scuptures found at Mohenjodaro have mostly been excavated at the upper layers
at the garhi-wala-tila site and so, are from the later phase of the civilization. This
particular sculpture, found at the last layer, is a superb example of the Indus Valley
sculptor’s mastery of his craft. The hair of the subject is parted in the center
exposing the ears, and reaches the nape, where it is caught by a ribbon. His neat
hair, trimmed beard, half-closed eyes and the trefoil-adorned shawl set it apart
from the rest of Indus Valley Sculptures. Because of its religious significance, the
artist possibly executed this in the traditional style. The sculpture perhaps had
some sort of coating which got cleaned away during the excavation and sorting.
The shaven upper lip, the straight eyebrows and narrowed eyes give his demeanour
a remote look. The thick neck, the squared shoulder and the slanting skull hint at
restrained physical strength. The jewelled band at his forehead and a similar
armband indicate that the subject must have belonged to the noble class. The
adorned shawl draped across the left shoulder has a trefoil motif similar to the one
seen on draperies on icons in Egypt, Crete and Mesopotamia. Babylonian priests
wore clothes adorned with the same motif. Since steatite is very soft and the
sculptor possibly carved the bust with a sharp stone or bone, or a tool may be made
of bronze or copper.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 4.1

1. What is the Priest Bust made of?
2. Where was the Priest Bust found?
3. What is the Priest wearing on his arm?

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Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
4.2 DANCING GIRL Indian Painting and
Sculpture
The Dancing Girl is one of the famous statue of the Harappan age. Let us know
about the artwork.

Basic Information
Metal craft was highly developed in the Indus Valley Civilization, borne by the Notes
astonishing figurines excavated from Mohanjodaro. The figurine of the so-called
‘Dancing Girl’ is perhaps the crowning glory of the metalwork of the Harappan
age. The artist was perhaps trying to render a realistic figure of the subject. The
svelte torso, the plump lips, the flat nose, well-fed cheeks, and bunched curly hair
all indicate a woman of distinctly tribal origin. The artist captured feminine grace
and beauty in her uncovered breasts, waist and thighs. Two heavy bangles on her
right arm seem dramatically limited compared to the left, which has bangles almost
up to the shoulder. Around the neck of the dancing girl is a necklace with four
elongated pendants. Her dynamic posture suggests she has taken a short break

Fig. 4.2: Dancing Girl

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 MODULE - 1 Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and during a dancing session and is perhaps thinking about her next performance.
Sculpture Though small in size, its plasticity and sensuousness is impressive. The sculpture
has been made using the lost wax process.
Title : Dancing Girl
Medium : Bronze
Period : 2500 B.C.
Notes
Place of origin : Mohenjodaro
Size : 10.2 × 5 × 2.5 cm
Collection : National Museum, New Delhi

General Description
This tiny bronze figurine is now universally known as the ‘Indus Dancing Girl’. A
masterpiece in its own right, this dynamic figurine exudes feminine poise and
grace. The right hand is on her hip and the left knee is thrust forward, the head is
slightly tilted backwards. Her curly hair is arranged in a bun at the nape and is
adorned with jewellery. The eyes are large and lost in thought. The figurine was
cast using the lost wax process. A wax figurine was made and covered with several
coatings of clay mixed with cowdung. Once the coatings dried, the block would
be heated so it turned hollow. Melted metal is then poured into the block and
allowed to cool. The cooled metal took the shape of the figurine. The figurine was
received by breaking the clay block.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 4.2

1. Where is the figurine exhibited?
2. What is the medium of the Dancing Girl?
3. Name the technique used for casting the dancing girl.

ACTIVITY
Visit your nearer Museum or Gallery to collect some photographs of stone
sculptures and terracotta sculptures. Now make a collage to maintain the colour
balance, rhythm and harmony.

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Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
4.3 MOTHER GODDESS Indian Painting and
Sculpture
Do you know that Mother Goddess, a beautiful feminine figure found in Indus art?
Let us appreciate the statue.

Basic Information
The fact that mother goddess figures have been excavated from several sites and Notes
feminine figures are also depicted on many of the Indus seals suggests that Mother
Goddess worship was a widespread practice among the people of the Indus Valley
Civilization. The similarity of adornment style indicates the figures were made for
use in religious rituals. Certainly, the people of the Indus Valley Civilization

Fig. 4.3: Mother Goddess

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 MODULE - 1 Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization
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Indian Painting and popularized a cult of Goddess worship which has continued to this day with the
Sculpture worship of Gramdevis, Shakti Devi, Bhudevi. Mother Goddess worship was also
prevalent in other ancient civilizations, including the Mesopotamian civilization.
The cult possibly had its origins in the cultivators’ veneration of the bountiful Earth
Goddess for providing succour. Archaeologists believe these Indus Valley terracottas
to be votive idols of the Mother Goddess. This particular sculpture is one of the
Notes figurines excavated at Harappa.

Title : Mother Goddess

Medium : Terracotta
Period : 2500 B. C.
Place of origin : Mohenjodaro Size - 8.5 × 3.4 cm
Collection : National Museum, New Delhi

General Description
This figurine showcases the high level of maturity of the Indus Valley Civilization artisan.
The eyes of the almost nude figure have been formed with two pellets of clay. The nose
is pinched.A waistband holds a skirt which covers the lower part of the body. The figure
is ornamented with heavy necklaces, pendants and armbands. The lower part of this
standing figure is broken. The left arm is broken as well. Her fan-shaped turban is
flanked by two bowls. Soot marks on the bowls suggest that they were used as lamps
or incense burners and the figurine was votive in nature. This is a fine example of the
Indus Valley Civilization sculpture.

The figurine has been made by hand. The eyes and breasts are indicated using pellets
of clay. The nose has been shaped by pinching a tiny roll of clay with fingers. The
jewellery was stuck on the figure. The legs have no detailing. Once the clay figure was
finished and dried, it was baked in the kiln. The baking gave it a red colouring. This
method of making figurines is known as terracotta. Terracotta products were sometimes
given a polish too.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 4.3

Fill in the blanks:
1. The medium used for making the Mother Goddess figurine is ..................
2. The place of origin of the Mother Goddess figurine is ..................

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Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

Notes

LEARNING OUTCOMES
The learner
z can make whatever drawing on the clay pattern on their own.
z paint the model with locally available colours.

TERMINAL QUESTIONS
1. Describe the technique and method used for Indus Valley Civilization sculptures.
2. Explain the theme of Indus Valley Civilization sculptures.
3. Describe the Priest Bust.
4. Describe the Dancing Girl bronze.
5. What was the significance of the Mother Goddess figurines?
6. What were the Mother Goddess figurines used for?
7. Which other civilizations had similar Mother Goddess figurines?
8. How is the jewellery on the dancing girl’s left arm different from that on her
right arm?
9. Write in your own words about the statue of the Dancing Girl.

ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

4.1
1. The priest-king bust is made of steatite.

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 MODULE - 1 Sculpture of Indus Valley Civilization
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and 2. It was found at Mohenjodaro at the Garhi-wala-tila site.
Sculpture 3. The priest is wearing an armband on his arm.

4.2
1. It is collected at the National Museum, New Delhi.
2. It is made of bronze.
Notes
3. It was cast using the lost wax process of metal casting.

4.3
1. terracotta.
2. Mohenjodaro site

GLOSSARY
Terracotta Baked clay for making pottery and toys
Bust The part of the human body above the waist
Votive holy
Lost wax a technique of metal casting

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