Why in News?
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) restored the original image of the iconic Mohenjo-daro bronze figurine in a Class 9 textbook after an earlier version had shaded its bare torso, reviving debates over cultural representation and historical interpretation.
About the Figurine
- A bronze statuette discovered at Mohenjo-daro (1926), dating to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE).
- About 10.5 cm tall, created using the lost-wax casting technique.
- Depicts a young female figure adorned with numerous bangles and ornaments.
Why is its Identity Contested?
- Archaeologist John Marshall identified it as a “nautch girl” (dancing girl) based on posture and appearance.
- However, scholars argue there is no archaeological evidence that she was a professional dancer.
- Historian Upinder Singh notes that the figure “may not have been dancing at all.”
- Archaeologist Gregory L. Possehl also questioned the dancer interpretation.
Partition and Ownership Debate
- After Partition, around 12,000 Harappan artefacts in Delhi became subjects of dispute between India and Pakistan.
- Both countries agreed to a 50:50 division of artefacts from Mohenjo-daro and Chanhu-daro.
- Pakistan chose the “Priest King” figurine over the Dancing Girl, reportedly due to concerns over the latter’s nudity.
- The Dancing Girl remains in India and is viewed by many scholars as part of the shared heritage of South Asia.
Significance
- Demonstrates the advanced metallurgical skills of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- Highlights how colonial interpretations and contemporary moral values shape our understanding of the past.
- Reflects debates on heritage ownership, gender, modesty, and cultural identity.
Value Addition
- Lost-Wax Casting Technique: A metal casting process in which a wax model is covered with clay; molten metal replaces the melted wax to create the final sculpture.
- The Dancing Girl is one of the most iconic artistic representations of the Indus Valley Civilization.
[2025] The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of
[A] carnelian
[B] clay
[C] bronze
[D] gold