Indus Valley Civilization holds a key role in the History of India. The arts of the Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's first civilizations, evolved throughout the second millennium. Many civilization sites have yielded sculptures, seals, ceramics, gold jewellery, terracotta figurines, and other works of art. The Arts of Indus valley Civilization gives immense details about the life of people of that time. This article explains the Arts of Indus Valley Civilization, which will be helpful for UPSC IAS Exam preparation.

Art of Indus Valley Civilization

• During the second millennium, the arts of the Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's first civilizations, arose. Sculptures, seals, ceramics, gold jewelry, terracotta figurines, and other types of art have been discovered at many civilization sites.
• Their renderings of human and animal forms were extremely lifelike and the modeling of figures was done with utmost caution.
• Along the Indus River, there are two significant Indus Valley civilization sites: Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro in the north and Mohenjo-Daro in the south.
• While Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are in Pakistan, notable sites discovered in India include Lothal, Surkotada, Dholavira in Gujarat, Rakhigarh, and Banwali in Haryana, and Ropar in Punjab.
• The major materials used for artistic works were: Stone, Bronze, Terracotta, Clay, etc.

Art of Indus Valley Civilization - Stone Sculptures

The handling of the 3D volume may be seen in stone figures found in Indus valley sites. There are two major stone statues:

1. In Mohenjo-Daro, a Bearded Man (Priest Man, Priest-King) was discovered. The main features of the figure were:

• Steatite figurine of a bearded guy.
• The figure is covered in a shawl that comes under the right arm and covers the left shoulder, indicating that it is a priest. The shawl has a trefoil design on it.
• As in contemplative concentration, the eyes are extended and partially closed.
• The nose is well-formed and of average size.
• Short beard and whiskers, as well as a short moustache.
• A basic woven fillet is carried around the head once the hair is separated in the center.
• A right-hand armlet and holes around the neck imply a necklace.
• Overall, there is a hint of the Greek style in the statues.

2. Male Torso

• Red sandstone was used to create it.
• The head and arms are attached to the neck and shoulders through socket openings. Legs have been broken.
• The shoulders are nicely browned, and the belly is a little protruding.
• It is one of the more expertly cut and polished pieces.

Art of Indus Valley Civilization - Bronze Casting

Bronze casting was conducted on a large scale in practically all of the civilization's main sites.

Bronze casting was done using the Lost Wax Technique.

Lost Wax Technique

• At first, the required figure is formed of wax and coated with clay. After allowing the clay to dry, the entire assembly is heated to melt the wax within the clay. The melted wax was then drained out of the clay section through a small hole.
• The molten metal was then poured into the hollow clay mould. The clay coating was fully removed once it had cooled.
• The Bronze casting includes both human and animal representations.
• The buffalo, with its raised head, back, and sweeping horns, and the goat, among animal representations, are aesthetic assets.
• Bronze casting was popular at all locations of Indus valley culture, as evidenced by the copper dog and bird of Lothal and the Bronze figure of a bull from Kalibangan.
• Metal casting persisted until the late Harappan, Chalcolithic, and other peoples following the Indus valley civilization.

Examples of Bronze Casting are:

Dancing Girl

• Founded in Mohenjo-Daro, it is one of the best-known artifacts from the Indus valley.
• It depicts a girl whose long hair is tied in the bun and bangles cover her left arm.
• Cowry shell necklace is seen around her neck with her right hand on her hip and her left hand clasped in a traditional Indian dance gesture.

Bull from Mohenjo-Daro

• Mohenjo-Daro has a bronze statue of a bull.
• The bull's massiveness and the charge's wrath are vividly depicted.
• The animal is seen standing to the right with his head cocked.
• A cord is wrapped around the neck.

Art of Indus Valley Civilization - Terracotta

• In Gujarat and Kalibangan, terracotta statues are more lifelike.
• A few figures of bearded males with coiled hairs are found in terracotta, their stance firmly erect, legs slightly apart, and arms parallel to the sides of the torso.
• The fact that this figure appears in the same posture over and over again suggests that he was a divinity.
• There was also a clay mask of a horned god discovered.
• Terracotta was also used to create toy carts with wheels, whistles, rattles, birds and animals, gamesmen, and discs.
• Mother Goddess figurines are the most important clay figures.

The main example of a terracotta figure is:

Mother Goddess

• Mohenjo-Daro is where it was found.
• These are mainly crude standing figurines.

• Wearing a loin robe and a grid, she is adorned with jewellery dangling from her large breast.
• The mother goddess's distinctive ornamental element is her fan-shaped headpiece with a cup-like protrusion on either side.
• The figure's pellet eyes and beaked snout are exceedingly primitive (constructed in a rudimentary way).
• A tiny hole indicates the mouth.

Art of Indus Valley Civilization - Seals

• Thousands of seals, mostly made of steatite but also agate, chert, copper, faience, and terracotta, were discovered at the sites, with exquisite representations of animals such as unicorn bulls, rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, bison, goat, buffalo, and others.
• The major purpose was to create wealth.
• They were also carried on the person of their owners as amulets, maybe like modern-day identity cards.
• Harappan seals were 2 x 2 square inches in size.
• Every seal has a pictographic script on it that has yet to be understood.
• Seals have also been discovered in Gold and Ivory.

Pashupati Seal

• A cross-legged human figure shown on the seal is found at MohenJo Daro.
• A tiger and an elephant are represented on the right side of the image, while a rhinoceros and a buffalo are depicted on the left.
• Below the seat are two antelopes (deer) (near his feet). The figure's head bears three horns.

Art of Indus Valley Civilization - Pottery

• The pottery of the Indus Valley is mostly manufactured on the wheel, with only a few exceptions.
• Painted ceramics are much less prevalent than plain pottery. The most common type of plain pottery is red clay with or without a fine red or grey slip.
• The geometric and animal images are painted in glossy black paint on the black painted ware, which has a fine covering of red slip.

Painted Earthen Jar

It is made on Potter’s wheel, found at Mohenjo Daro.

Art of Indus Valley Civilization- Beads, Ornaments, and Cosmetics

• Harappan men and women adorned themselves with a wide range of jewelry made from a wide range of materials, including precious metals, jewels, bone, and baked clay.
• Both men and women wore white necklaces, fillets, armlets, and finger rings.
• Necklaces made of gold and semi-precious metal stones, copper bracelets and beads, gold earrings, and head decorations have all been discovered in Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal.
• At Farmona in Harappa, a cemetery was discovered where deceased people were buried with jewelry.
• Chanhu Daro and Lothal both have well-developed bead factories.
• Some beads were produced by cementing two or more stones together.
• Animal figures, particularly monkeys and squirrels, were also created and utilized as pinheads and beads.
• Cotton and wool spinning were quite popular (both rich and poor practiced spinning).
• Men and women wore different outfits that looked like a dhoti and shawl.
• Shawl went below right arm and covered left shoulder.
• They were fashion-conscious. Various hairstyles were fashionable, and beards were popular.
• Cinnabar was used as a cosmetic, and they were familiar with face paint, lipstick, and collyrium (eyeliner).

Conclusion

The artists and craftsmen of the Indus Valley were extremely skilled in a variety of crafts—metal casting, stone carving, making and painting pottery, and making terracotta images using simplified motifs of animals, plants, and birds, making the civilization a rich one.

FAQs

Question: What are the main types of art found in the Indus Valley Civilization?

Question: What is the significance of the seals from the Indus Valley Civilization?

Question: What is the Dancing Girl statue, and why is it important?

Question: How does the pottery of the Indus Valley Civilization reflect its artistic achievements?

Question: What were the materials commonly used in Indus Valley art?

MCQs

1. Which of the following is the most famous bronze sculpture from the Indus Valley Civilization?

a) Bullock cart

b) Dancing Girl

c) Seated Priest

d) Lion Capital

2. What were the primary materials used for making Indus Valley seals?

a) Bronze and silver

b) Stone and wood

c) Steatite and terracotta

d) Clay and gold

3. Which of the following was a key feature of Indus Valley pottery?

a) Use of bright colors

b) Absence of designs

c) Geometric patterns and motifs

d) Made entirely of metal

4. The Indus Valley Civilization's seals are believed to have been used for:

a) Decoration

b) Trade and administrative purposes

c) Religious ceremonies

d) Currency

5. Which of the following materials was used for making ornaments in the Indus Valley Civilization?

a) Gold and silver

b) Semi-precious stones like carnelian and lapis lazuli

c) Lead

d) Pure iron

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: “The art of the Indus Valley Civilization reflects both utility and aesthetic sensibilities.” Discuss with examples.

Answer: The art of the Indus Valley Civilization reflects both utility and aesthetic sensibilities. Seals, for example, were used for trade and administrative purposes but were intricately carved with animal motifs and the Indus script, demonstrating artistic skill. Pottery was functional for storing food and water, but it was often decorated with geometric patterns and designs, adding aesthetic value. The "Dancing Girl" bronze sculpture, while primarily artistic, also reflects cultural aspects such as dance. The combination of utility and beauty in their art highlights the advanced nature of the civilization.

Q2: Examine the significance of Indus Valley pottery in understanding the cultural and technological advancements of the civilization.

Answer: Indus Valley pottery plays a crucial role in understanding the cultural and technological advancements of the civilization. The use of the potter’s wheel allowed for mass production of uniform pottery, indicating technological proficiency. The intricate geometric designs on the pottery reflect the aesthetic sense of the people. Pottery also reveals aspects of their daily life, such as storage, cooking, and religious rituals. The ability to produce both functional and decorative items suggests a society that valued both practicality and beauty in their material culture.

Q3: Analyze the artistic contributions of the Indus Valley Civilization in the context of early human civilizations.

Answer: The artistic contributions of the Indus Valley Civilization are significant in the context of early human civilizations. Their expertise in urban planning, standardized brick construction, and advanced drainage systems reflects a civilization that combined art with function. The intricate seals, bronze sculptures like the "Dancing Girl," and terracotta figurines demonstrate a high level of artistic skill and creativity. Compared to contemporary civilizations, the Indus Valley stands out for its sophisticated craftsmanship, especially in metalwork and pottery. These artistic achievements provide valuable insights into their social structure, economy, and culture, and place the Indus Valley Civilization among the most advanced of its time.

Previous Year Questions on Art of Indus Valley Civilization

1. UPSC CSE 2018

Q1: Discuss the importance of seals in understanding the culture and trade practices of the Indus Valley Civilization. 

Answer: The seals of the Indus Valley Civilization provide crucial insights into the cultural and trade practices of the period. Made primarily from steatite, these seals depict animals, human figures, and possibly deities, indicating religious beliefs. The presence of script on many seals suggests their use in trade and administrative work, likely as identifiers or markers of goods. The wide distribution of these seals across the Indus region and in places like Mesopotamia points to long-distance trade connections.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Q2: Analyze the artistic achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization with reference to its sculptures and terracotta figurines. 

Answer: The artistic achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization are exemplified by its sculptures and terracotta figurines. The bronze Dancing Girl statue highlights the civilization's advanced bronze casting techniques and its cultural inclination towards art. Terracotta figurines of animals, humans, and religious symbols, found across various sites, reflect the everyday life and religious practices of the people. These artifacts show the aesthetic sensibilities and craftsmanship of the Indus Valley people, who created both utilitarian and decorative items.