Mother Goddess is one of Mohenjo-best-preserved Daro's large-scale terracottas. The sculpture dubbed 'Mother Goddess' is one of the most interesting sculptures from the Indus Valley Civilization. This clay sculpture was handcrafted. Its origins may be traced back to 2500 BCE in Mohenjodaro, Pakistan. This article will explain to you the Mother goddess which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Mother goddess

• Mother Goddess is one of the best-preserved large-scale terracottas from Mohenjo-daro.
• The idol, discovered by John Marshall in 1931, appears to resemble some qualities associated with the Mother Goddess religion prevalent in many early Near Eastern cultures.
• It is a blend of folk realism and elegant clay pieces.
• It is exquisitely embellished with a variety of embellishments that represent the tastes of the time.
• Mother Goddess is related with motherhood, fertility, reproduction, and the continuation of life.
• So because figurines are distinctive in terms of haircuts, body proportions, headdresses, and jewellery, there are ideas as to who these figurines represent.
• Harappan female figurines may have had cultural importance in the sense that they were revered in homes.

Mother Goddess

Mother Goddess - Features

• The Indus Valley inhabitants also created terracotta figures, although in comparison to stone and bronze statues, the terracotta renderings of human form in the Indus Valley are primitive.
• In Gujarat and Kalibangan, they are more realistic. The mother goddess figurines are the most significant of the Indus figures.
• Mother goddess images are often crude standing female figures wearing a loin cloth and a girdle and ornamented with necklaces hanging over breasts.
• The fan-shaped headdress with a cup-like protrusion on either side is a distinctive ornamental characteristic of the Indus Valley mother goddess statues.
• The figurines' pellet eyes and beaked noses are rudimentary, and the mouth is denoted by a slit.
• Her forehead is adorned with a fan-shaped structure, which looks to be a form of feminine decoration of the period.
• The body is dressed in a miniskirt with a wide belt to keep it in place.
• Her earrings, necklace, and hair tie are also stunning. Her spherical eyeballs, which are extremely skillfully glued, bring the structure to life.
• A line mark is put between the top and lower lips to illustrate the bifurcation.
• Her right hand has been shattered at the shoulder, and her left hand is depicted dangling straight down.
• Numerous clay figures of women have been discovered at Harappa.
• In one miniature, a plant is represented developing from a woman's embryo.
• As a result, the Harappans worshipped the earth as a fertility goddess in the same way that the Egyptians worshipped the Nile goddess Isis.

Conclusion

During the second part of the third millennium BCE, the arts of the Indus Valley Civilisation arose. Sculptures, seals, ceramics, jewellery, terracotta figurines, and other types of art have been discovered at numerous locations across the civilization. Mother Goddess is one of the best-preserved large-scale terracottas from Mohenjo-daro. The most important Indus figures are the mother goddess figurines.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which material was primarily used to create the Mother Goddess figurines in the Indus Valley?

A) Bronze
B) Stone
C) Terracotta
D) Iron

2. The Mother Goddess figurines are believed to symbolize which concept?

A) Agriculture
B) Fertility
C) War
D) Trade

3. Which archaeological site is most associated with the discovery of Mother Goddess figurines?

A) Kalibangan
B) Mohenjo-daro
C) Lothal
D) Ropar

4. What distinguishes the Mother Goddess figurines from other Indus Valley art forms?

A) Use of gold
B) Primitive features
C) Exaggerated body proportions
D) Bronze casting

5. Which form of decoration is a common feature on the Mother Goddess figurines?

A) Carved animals
B) Floral patterns
C) Fan-shaped headgear
D) Geometrical designs

GS Mains Questions and Answers

Q1: Discuss the cultural significance of the Mother Goddess figurines in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Answer: The Mother Goddess figurines, associated with fertility and motherhood, reflect the cultural and religious practices of the Indus Valley Civilization. These terracotta statues were likely central to household rituals, symbolizing life cycles and the feminine principle. The elaborate decorations and fan-shaped headgear suggest that these figurines were revered and possibly used in fertility rites, showcasing the civilization’s connection to natural forces and the central role of women in their spiritual life.

Q2: Examine the role of terracotta figurines in understanding the religious practices of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Answer: Terracotta figurines, including the Mother Goddess, provide valuable insights into the religious practices of the Indus Valley Civilization. These figurines likely played a role in domestic rituals and symbolized fertility, continuity, and prosperity. The intricate designs on these figurines, despite being primitive in comparison to other art forms, reveal a deep connection with nature and an emphasis on the feminine aspect of divinity.

Q3: Analyze the artistic features of the Mother Goddess figurines and their significance in ancient Indian history.

Answer: The artistic features of the Mother Goddess figurines, such as exaggerated body proportions, fan-shaped headgear, and intricate jewelry, highlight the importance of fertility in ancient Indian cultures. These terracotta figures, though primitive in execution, are significant as they reflect the artistic expression of the Indus Valley people and provide insight into the social, religious, and cultural dynamics of the time. The figures are not only religious icons but also representations of the civilization's artistic and cultural sophistication.

Previous Year Questions on Indus Valley Civilization

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following materials was predominantly used for creating figurines in the Indus Valley Civilization?
A) Gold
B) Terracotta
C) Stone
D) Iron

Answer: B

Explanation: Terracotta was the primary material used to create figurines, including the Mother Goddess, in the Indus Valley Civilization.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Analyze the significance of the Mother Goddess figurines in understanding the religious beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Answer: The Mother Goddess figurines are crucial for understanding the religious beliefs of the Indus Valley people, as they symbolize fertility and motherhood. These figurines suggest a belief in natural cycles and the divine feminine, likely representing fertility rituals. The fact that these figurines were discovered in household contexts indicates that religious practices were deeply intertwined with daily life, making the Mother Goddess a central figure in the civilization’s spiritual framework.