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

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2025 UPSC Prelims History paper.

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Question

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

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — bronzeStep-by-step Solution:The 'Dancing Girl' (also known as the 'Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro') is one of the most iconic artefacts of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was discovered by archaeologist Ernest Mackay during the 1926–27 excavations at Mohenjo-daro (in present-day Pakistan's Sindh province).The figurine is made of bronze (a copper-tin alloy), using the lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue). It depicts a young girl/woman in a confident, casual standing pose — her right arm resting on her hip, her left arm adorned with bangles/bracelets up to the shoulder, and her hair styled in a bun. The figure is approximately 10.5 cm (4.1 inches) tall.The dating of the figurine: approximately 2500 BCE. The use of bronze casting at this early date demonstrates the remarkable metallurgical sophistication of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The figurine is now housed in the National Museum of India, New Delhi.Why other options are incorrect:Option A (Carnelian): Carnelian is a semi-precious reddish-brown stone frequently used by Indus Valley craftspeople to make beads and jewellery. However, the Dancing Girl is NOT made of carnelian. ✗Option B (Clay): Clay (terracotta) was widely used in the Indus Valley Civilisation for pottery, toys, figurines, and seals. However, the Dancing Girl specifically is made of bronze, not clay. Many other figurines from the IVC are terracotta, but not this one. ✗Option D (Gold): Gold objects were rare in the Indus Valley Civilisation. The Dancing Girl is not made of gold. ✗Key Concept: Indus Valley Civilisation — Important Artefacts: Dancing Girl (Mohenjo-daro): Bronze, ~2500 BCE; Lost-wax casting; National Museum, New Delhi. Priest-King (Mohenjo-daro): Steatite (soapstone) sculpture; draped figure with trefoil pattern cloak; National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi. Pashupati Seal: Soapstone seal from Mohenjo-daro; depicts figure with horns surrounded by animals — possibly proto-Shiva. Bull Seal: Most common type of seal found; zebu bull depicted. Bronze chariot (Daimabad, Maharashtra): Bronze chariot with oxen from the IVC horizon. IVC Metallurgy: Copper, bronze, gold, silver, lead used. Iron was NOT known to IVC people. Lost-wax casting was mastered by IVC artisans. The Dancing Girl is a prime example of this mastery. UPSC regularly asks about IVC artefacts, their material, and findspot.

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

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

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More Questions from Indus Valley Civilisation – Society, Economy & Decline

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