Sculptures of Harappan civilization as discussed by Harsh
The Indian history is enriched with the number of different arts and culture elements. The Harappan’s were the first in Indian sub-continent who develop their own architecture in a well-planned manner. The Indus Valley Civilization or Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization or Harappan civilization emerged on the banks of the river Indus and its tributaries during the second half of the 3rd millennium BCE. It was spread across the parts of North-western and western Indian regions.
There were different types of sculptures developed during the Harappan period. Sculptures are generally three-dimensional figures. For example, seals, human figures, coins, pottery, ornaments etc. all examples of the sculptures. During Harappan age, number of sculptures were developed.
Also Read : Arts in India – Introduction and Classification
Architecture During The Harappan Age
Figures
During the Harappan period, mainly two types of figures were in prevalence; first was bronze figures and other was Terracotta figures. The bronze figures were made using the “lost wax technique”. In the lost wax technique, the wax figures first coated with wet clay and allowed to dry, after that the figures were heated which allow the inside wax to melt and came out by a small hole left in figures. After that metal cooled down and clay removed to get final figures.
This technique still practiced in many parts of the country. The typical example form Harappan civilization of these figures are Bronze Dancing girl of Mohenjo-Daro, bronze bull of Kalibangan etc. The terracotta figures were made of fire baked clay. The were less in number as compare to bronze figures in Harappan civilization. The Pinching method is used for making the terracotta figures. The Harappan sites in Gujarat and Kalibangan were the famous centres of this art. For example, the sculptures of Mother Goddess, mask of horned deity etc.
Seals
Seals of different shapes and sizes were discovered during the archeological excavation form many Harrapan sites. Most of the seals were of the shape of square but seals of other shapes like triangular, rectangular and circular were also discovered. The most common material used for seals making was Steatite but material like copper, chert, agate etc. were also used for seal making.
The seals of the Harrapan civilization are pictographic but they are yet to be deciphered. While most of them were written from right to left but bi-directional style of writing was also found from these seals. Different types of animals were also inscribed on these coins like tiger, elephant, bison, goat, etc. but there was no evidence of cow on these seals. The half-animal and half-human depictions on the seals were also found.
These seals were mainly used for trade and commerce purposes. The discovery of Harappan seals form Mesopotamia proved the same. The seals were also used as amulets as many seals discovered from graves of humans of Harrapan period. The mathematical expressions were also found on the seals which indicates that these seals may be used for some educational purposes. The design of ‘Swastika’ was found on some seals. The famous seals of Harrapan age are Pasupathi seals, unicorn seal etc.
Pottery
Two types of pottery have been discovered form the Harrapan sites; plain pottery and painted pottery. The painted pottery was made using the red color in background and then black used for draw design and figures on that red color. Hence, this pottery came to known as Red and Black Pottery. Different types of figures like trees, animal, geometrical patterns etc. were made on these potteries.
The evidences of pottery discovered are of very fine wheel-made wares and very are made of hands. Potteries made during this period were used for different purposes; for storing water and grains, for decorating homes, and some pottery made with holes which may be for straining liquor.
Ornaments
During the Harrapan age men and women both used to wear ornaments like armlets, necklaces etc. Different types of material were used for make ornaments, for examples, precious metals, gemstones, bones and even baked clay were used. The ornaments making factories were discovered form the sites of Lothal and Chahnudaro.
Other Arts
During the Harappan period, cotton and wool were used as the peoples of Harappan cities were conscious of fashion, this can be proved by the different styles of hair and beard. The Beard Priest is an example of mastery of the stone art discovered by the Indus Valley civilization. The red sandstone figure of the male torso is another example of the rock sculpture. This torso posture is with well-baked shoulders and a prominent abdomen. There are also socket holes in the neck and shoulders, probably for the attachment of heads and arms.
Hence, the art of sculptures during the Harappan age was at a very advanced stage as several arts evolved during this age.