Arts of the Indus Valley: A Class 11 NCERT Fine Art Guide

Jewellery and Personal Adornment in the Indus Valley

The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation adorned themselves with exquisite jewellery made from precious metals and stones. Common ornaments included:

• Necklaces
• Fillets (headbands)
• Armlets
• Finger-rings
• Girdles
• Earrings
• Anklets

Jewellery hoards found at Mohenjodaro and Lothal reveal the use of gold, copper, semi-precious stones like carnelian and lapis lazuli, and faience. The craftsmanship was highly refined, with techniques such as cementing multiple stones and gold covering. The discovery of ornaments in graves at Farmana (Haryana) highlights their cultural importance.

Men and women also wore two-piece clothing similar to the dhoti and shawl, showing a conscious fashion sense. Hairstyles and beard styles varied, and cosmetics like cinnabar and collyrium were used, indicating a developed aesthetic culture.

Bead Industry: Materials, Shapes, and Techniques

The bead industry was a significant part of Indus Valley arts, with factories found at Chanhudaro and Lothal. Beads were crafted from a variety of materials:

• Carnelian
• Amethyst
• Jasper
• Crystal
• Quartz
• Steatite
• Turquoise
• Lapis lazuli
• Copper and bronze
• Gold
• Shell
• Faience
• Terracotta

Shapes varied widely, including disc, cylindrical, spherical, barrel-shaped, and segmented beads. Decoration methods included incising, painting, and etching. Some beads were made by cementing multiple stones or covering them with gold.

Naturalistic animal models, especially monkeys and squirrels, were also made as pin-heads and beads, reflecting the artisans’ attention to detail and nature.

Terracotta Art: Toys, Figurines, and Daily Life

Terracotta was a common medium for creating toys, figurines, and ritual objects. These items provide insights into the daily life and beliefs of the Indus people.

• Terracotta toys often depicted animals and humans, sometimes with movable parts.
• Figurines were simple yet symbolic, often representing fertility or animals.
• The style was more abstract compared to modern terracotta, focusing on essential features.

The use of terracotta shows the artisans’ skill in modelling and firing clay. These objects were both decorative and functional, used in play, rituals, and possibly education.

Seals: Craftsmanship and Symbolism

Seals are one of the most famous art forms of the Indus Valley. Made primarily from steatite, these small square or rectangular objects were carved with animal motifs and inscriptions.

Common animals on seals include:

• Bulls
• Unicorns (mythical creatures)
• Elephants
• Tigers

Seals likely served administrative or ritual purposes. Their detailed carvings show advanced stone-carving skills. Students can try making seals from clay or wood, choosing animals that symbolize strength, beauty, or wisdom.

Metalwork and Stone Crafting Skills

The artisans of the Indus Valley displayed exceptional skills in metal casting and stone carving. They worked with copper, bronze, gold, and steatite to create:

• Tools and weapons
• Jewellery
• Figurines
• Architectural elements

Stone remains at sites like Dholavira show advanced construction techniques using large stone blocks. Metal objects were often decorated with animal and plant motifs, reflecting the natural world.

These crafts required knowledge of metallurgy and fine detailing, highlighting the technological advancement of the civilisation.

Fashion, Cosmetics, and Cultural Expression

Fashion was an important aspect of Indus Valley life. Men and women wore two-piece garments akin to the dhoti and shawl. Hairstyles varied, and beard styles were common among men.

Cosmetics included:

• Cinnabar (red pigment)
• Lipstick
• Collyrium (eye cosmetic)

These details show the people’s concern for appearance and social identity. Personal adornment was not only for beauty but also had cultural and possibly religious significance.