INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION SCULPTURES

Published on 15 Sep 2025

Indus Valley sculptures, dating back to the Bronze Age civilisation (c. 3300-1300 BCE), offer a glimpse into the artistic prowess of ancient South Asia. Created through a combination of clay modelling, stone carving, and metalwork, these sculptures reveal the skilful craftsmanship of the Indus Valley people, portraying human figures, animals, and mythical beings with meticulous detail and a sense of grace.

Major Types

1) Lost wax technique

2) Bronze Sculptures

3) Stone Sculptures

Lost Wax Technique

The Lost Wax Technique, used by the Indus Valley civilization, was a method of metal casting. It involved creating a wax model of the desired sculpture, encasing it in clay, and then melting the wax to create a mould. Molten metal was then poured into the mould, solidifying to form the final sculpture, often resulting in highly detailed and intricate metal artworks.

Example: The ‘Dancing Girl’ from Mohenjo-Daro.

Significance of Sculptures from the period of Indus Valley civilization

Social

Cultural Identity: The sculptures depict various aspects of daily life, showcasing the social and cultural practices of the Indus Valley civilization.

Example: Dancing Girl sculpture highlights the significance of dance and self-expression in their society.

Gender Roles: The representation of both male and female figures in sculptures provides insights into the roles and status of women in their society.

Example: The Mother Goddess figurines suggest the importance of female deities and the female sex.

Ritual and Religion: Sculptures help to reveal the religious practices and beliefs of the Indus Valley people, offering glimpses into their rituals and mythologies.

Example: Stone sculptures that indicated Phallus worship.

Economic

Trade and Commerce: Sculptures of animals indicate the importance of trade and commerce in the civilization. These animals might have symbolized wealth and prosperity, reflecting their economic activities.

Example: The bronze figure of a bull from Mohenjo-Daro.

Craftsmanship and Artisanal Skills: The intricate and well-crafted sculptures highlight the advanced craftsmanship and artistic skills of the Indus Valley civilization. These skills may have contributed to their economic development through the production of trade goods.

Example: Seals of Indus Valley Civilisation being found in Mesopotamia.

Luxury and Status: The presence of ornate jewellery and elaborate headdresses in some sculptures suggests a social hierarchy and the presence of luxury items, potentially signifying wealth and economic differentiation.

Example: The heavily ornamented female figurines compared with the simple clay-modelled human figurines.

Political

Symbolism of Power: Some sculptures, such as the "unicorn" seal, may have been used as political symbols, representing the authority and legitimacy of rulers or elite groups.
Political Authority: The portrayal of leaders in sculptures suggests the presence of political authority.

Example: The Priest-King or the bearded male figure.

Environmental

Naturalistic Depictions: Sculptures of animal figurines reflect the close connection between the Indus Valley people and the natural world around them.

Example: The horned deity indicates the presence of naturalistic worship among the people.

Agricultural Lifestyle: The presence of agricultural motifs and depictions of farming activities in sculptures implies the importance of the environment and agricultural practices for sustenance and livelihoods.

Example: The Terracotta Toy plough found in Banawali.

Technological

Sculpting Techniques: The use of various materials, such as clay, stone, and metals, demonstrates the technological advancements in sculpting methods during that time period.

Example: The Lost-Wax technique.

Precision and Detailing: The intricate carvings and precise detailing in the sculptures reveal the mastery of sculpting tools and techniques used by the artisans of the Indus Valley civilization.

Example: The precision of casting in the stone sculpture of Dancing Girl.