Question 60 from UPSC CSE 2025 - Art & Culture

Question

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

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. bronze

Strategy: Focus on the material composition of the 'Dancing Girl.' Among the options, only bronze fits the widely known fact about this artifact. Carnelian and clay are both common in Indus Valley ornaments and pottery, but the famed Dancing Girl is renowned for its metallurgy. Elimination is straightforward since gold is rare for Indus sculptures, and the artifact is described as bronze in all standard references.

Key Info: The 'Dancing Girl' is a world-famous artifact from the Indus Valley Civilization, specifically excavated from Mohenjo-daro (now in Pakistan). It is a small bronze figurine, about 10.5 cm (4.1 inches) high, depicting a young female figure in a confident and dynamic pose, with one hand resting on her hip and the other holding an object or in a gesture; both arms are adorned with bangles, a common ornament in the civilization. The statue dates to approximately 2500 BCE. It was created using the lost-wax (cire-perdue) casting method, evidencing advanced metallurgical skills in copper-alloy working. Indus Valley artisans also produced objects in carnelian (a semi-precious stone), terracotta (clay), faience, and occasionally gold, but major sculptures like the Dancing Girl are unique in bronze. The artistic masterwork is significant for its naturalism, expression, and early testimony to metal casting in South Asia. The Dancing Girl remains a symbol of cultural sophistication and the technological prowess of the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: carnelian

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: clay

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: gold