Sculptures of the Harappan Civilization hold a significant role in understanding the lifestyle of the Harappan people. It also helps historians to understand the civilization further. Here, we will discuss the Sculptures of Harappan Civilization which will be helpful for UPSC Civil Service Exam preparation.

Sculptures of the Harappan 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.
• The major materials used for sculptors were: Stone, Bronze, Terracotta, Clay, etc.

Stone Sculptures of Harappan Civilization

The handling of the 3-Dimensional 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.

Bronze Sculptures of Harappan Civilization

• 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 mold. 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, is one of the best-known artifacts from Indus valley.
• It depicts a girl whose long hair is tied in a 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.

Terracotta Sculptures of Harappan Civilization

• 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 jewelry 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.

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

MCQs

1. Which technique was used by the Harappans to create bronze sculptures?

A. Hand-molding
B. Lost-wax casting
C. Stone carving
D. Engraving

2. The "Bearded Priest" sculpture is made of which material?

A. Terracotta
B. Bronze
C. Limestone
D. Wood

3. What was the primary purpose of Harappan seals?

A. Artistic expression
B. Religious offerings
C. Trade and identification
D. Protection from invaders

4. Which of the following sculptures is a famous example of Harappan bronze art?

A. Mother Goddess
B. Dancing Girl
C. Bull Seal
D. Bearded Priest

5. What does the depiction of animals on Harappan seals suggest about the civilization?

A. Focus on military strength
B. Agricultural and religious significance
C. Trade with Mesopotamia
D. Isolation from other cultures

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

1. Evaluate the role of terracotta figurines in understanding the social and religious aspects of the Harappan Civilization.

Answer: Terracotta figurines were an essential aspect of Harappan art, reflecting both social and religious aspects of the civilization. These figurines depicted common people, animals, and deities, giving insights into the Harappan way of life. Many figurines represented mother goddesses, indicating the importance of fertility and agriculture. Additionally, the detailed craftsmanship of these artifacts highlights the significance of art in religious rituals and daily activities.

2. Discuss how Harappan seals contribute to our understanding of their economic and religious life.

Answer: Harappan seals are invaluable in understanding the civilization's economic and religious life. The seals, used primarily for trade, were stamped with intricate designs of animals, human figures, and religious symbols, showcasing the importance of commerce. The presence of deities and sacred animals on the seals indicates their religious significance. These artifacts reflect the role of trade in expanding Harappan culture and highlight their complex belief system, where economic and spiritual elements were deeply interconnected.

3. Analyze the artistic achievements of the Harappan Civilization with reference to their sculpture and metallurgy.

Answer: The artistic achievements of the Harappan Civilization, particularly in sculpture and metallurgy, are remarkable. The use of the lost-wax technique to create bronze figures like the "Dancing Girl" shows their expertise in metallurgy. Stone sculptures such as the "Bearded Priest" reflect their ability to work with difficult materials, producing lifelike representations. Terracotta figurines, seals, and metalwork exhibit both artistic beauty and religious significance, illustrating the civilization's sophisticated culture and technological advancements.

Previous Year Questions on Harappan Sculptures

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which of the following techniques was used by the Harappans to make bronze sculptures?
A. Lost-wax technique
B. Hammering
C. Carving
D. Weaving

Answer: A

Explanation: The Harappans used the lost-wax technique to create bronze sculptures, a process where a wax model is encased in clay, heated, and replaced with molten metal to form the final shape.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 1)

Question: "Harappan art and architecture reflect both utility and artistic expression." Discuss with reference to Harappan sculptures.

Answer: Harappan sculptures, particularly terracotta figurines and seals, served both functional and artistic purposes. While the seals were used for trade and identification, their intricate designs also reflected the artistic and religious sensibilities of the civilization. The terracotta figurines, often depicting deities or common people, suggest their use in religious rituals and daily life, highlighting the dual focus on utility and artistic expression in Harappan art.