With reference to the metal sculptures of Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:

1. Sand-casting was the most prevalent technique used in making metal sculpture.

2. Only human figures were made of metal.

3. The late Harappan and Chalcolithic sites lacked metal-cast sculptures.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

Solution

The lost-wax casting, sand casting, plaster mold casting, etc. are some of the methods of metal casting. Among these, the lost wax technique was practised on a wide scale by the Harappans for making bronze statues. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. • Both human and animal figures of bronze were sculpted. Examples among the human figures include the statue of a girl popularly titled 'Dancing Girl'. Among animal figures, the buffalo with its uplifted head, back and sweeping horns and the goat. A copper dog and bird at Lothal and a bronze figure of a bull at Kalibangan can also be found. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. • Metal casting appears to be a continuous tradition and the tradition of figure sculpture continued down the ages. The late Harappan and Chalcolithic sites like Daimabad in Maharashtra yielded excellent examples of metal-cast sculptures. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.