NCERT ‘Dancing Girl’ Controversy | What Was Changed and Why?

NCERT has decided to restore the original image of Mohenjo-daro’s iconic “Dancing Girl” in its new Class 9 Arts Education textbook, Madhurima. The decision followed criticism over an altered version in which the figurine’s torso appeared visually covered. The original image is being restored in the digital textbook and subsequent printed editions. But what makes the Dancing Girl one of the most important artefacts of the Indus Valley Civilisation? This session explains the historical and artistic significance of the bronze figurine, its confident posture, ornaments and distinctive bangles. It also examines the lost-wax casting technique used to create the sculpture and the archaeological excavations at Mohenjo-daro associated with the period of John Marshall. The National Museum identifies the figurine as a bronze sculpture from Mohenjo-daro, measuring approximately 10.5 cm, and describes it as an early example of the lost-wax metal-casting process. Topics Covered NCERT Dancing Girl controversy Restoration of the original textbook image Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro Indus Valley Civilisation art Physical features and ornaments of the figurine Lost-wax casting technique Bronze technology in the Harappan civilisation John Marshall and Mohenjo-daro excavations UPSC Ancient History and Art & Culture NCERT Dancing Girl, Dancing Girl NCERT controversy, NCERT restores Dancing Girl image, Dancing Girl original image, NCERT Class 9 art textbook, Madhurima Class 9 textbook, Mohenjo-daro Dancing Girl, Indus Valley Civilization Dancing Girl, Harappan Dancing Girl statue, Dancing Girl sculpture explained, lost wax casting technique, lost wax process Harappan civilization, bronze sculpture Indus Valley Civilization, John Marshall Mohenjo-daro, Mohenjo-daro excavation, NCERT textbook latest news, NCERT textbook controversy 2026, ancient history current affairs, Indian art and culture UPSC, Indus Valley Civilization UPSC, Harappan civilization UPSC, UPSC current affairs 2026, VisionIAS current affairs #DancingGirl #NCERT #MohenjoDaro #IndusValleyCivilization #HarappanCivilization #ArtAndCulture #AncientHistory #VisionIAS #UPSC #CurrentAffairs #UPSC2026