Art & Culture : Indian Art & Architecture

Q 3 / 33

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025

The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

bronze

The famous 'Dancing Girl' figurine, discovered at Mohenjo-daro, is a significant artifact of the Indus Valley Civilization, dating back to approximately 2500 BCE. This 10.8 cm tall sculpture is crafted from bronze, demonstrating the advanced metallurgical skills of the Harappan people. It was created using the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique, a sophisticated method for that era. The figurine's confident posture and intricate details, such as the bangles on her left arm, highlight the artistic prowess of the civilization.

Incorrect Options

Carnelian (1): Carnelian was a widely used semi-precious stone in the Indus Valley Civilization, primarily for beads, seals, and other forms of jewellery. However, the 'Dancing Girl' is a metallic sculpture, not made from stone.

Clay (2): Terracotta (baked clay) was a common material for producing numerous figurines, toys, and pottery in the Indus Valley Civilization. While many smaller human and animal figures were made of clay, the 'Dancing Girl' is distinctively cast in metal.

Gold (4): Gold was known and utilized by the Indus people for ornaments and jewellery, indicating their access to and skill in working with precious metals. Nevertheless, the 'Dancing Girl' is specifically identified as a bronze artifact, not gold.

SOURCEIndian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania, Chapter 1: Indian Architecture, Sculpture and Pottery