With reference to the history of bronze sculpture in India, consider the following statements: 1. The ‘Dancing Girl’ sculpture dates to the Mauryan period. 2. The ‘lost-wax’ process was known to Indian sculptors as early as the Indus Valley Culture. 3. Bronze casting was exclusively used for creating ritual icons and was never utilised for daily use articles like utensils. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 only Explanation Indian sculptors have mastered the art of bronze casting for millennia using the ‘lost-wax’ process (cire-perdu). This technique involves creating a wax model, covering it with clay to form a mould, melting the wax out, and filling the resulting hollow space with molten metal. This tradition dates back to the earliest phases of urbanization in the Indian subcontinent. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect: The ‘lost-wax’ process was well-known to the artisans of the Indus Valley Civilization. Several bronze and copper figurines excavated from Harappan sites demonstrate a high degree of skill in this technique. - Statement 2 is Correct: The famous ‘Dancing Girl’ sculpture was discovered at Mohenjo-Daro and belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE). It does not date to the Mauryan period (c. 322-185 BCE), which came much later. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Bronze and copper casting were not restricted to ritual icons. Archaeological findings confirm that metal casting was utilized for a wide variety of objects, including daily use articles such as utensils, tools, weapons, and toys (e.g., carts and animals), in addition to votive or ritualistic figures. Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: The ‘lost-wax’ technique (cire-perdu) originated in India during the Indus Valley Civilization, with the ‘Dancing Girl’ from Mohenjo-Daro being the earliest and most significant example of this tradition.

NCERT Class 11 Art & Culture — Chapter 7: Indian Bronze Sculpture

mcqeasy

With reference to the history of bronze sculpture in India, consider the following statements:

The ‘Dancing Girl’ sculpture dates to the Mauryan period.
The ‘lost-wax’ process was known to Indian sculptors as early as the Indus Valley Culture.
Bronze casting was exclusively used for creating ritual icons and was never utilised for daily use articles like utensils.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A2 only
B1 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

Indian sculptors have mastered the art of bronze casting for millennia using the ‘lost-wax’ process (cire-perdu). This technique involves creating a wax model, covering it with clay to form a mould, melting the wax out, and filling the resulting hollow space with molten metal. This tradition dates back to the earliest phases of urbanization in the Indian subcontinent.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The ‘lost-wax’ process was well-known to the artisans of the Indus Valley Civilization. Several bronze and copper figurines excavated from Harappan sites demonstrate a high degree of skill in this technique.
Statement 2 is Correct: The famous ‘Dancing Girl’ sculpture was discovered at Mohenjo-Daro and belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE). It does not date to the Mauryan period (c. 322-185 BCE), which came much later.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Bronze and copper casting were not restricted to ritual icons. Archaeological findings confirm that metal casting was utilized for a wide variety of objects, including daily use articles such as utensils, tools, weapons, and toys (e.g., carts and animals), in addition to votive or ritualistic figures.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway: The ‘lost-wax’ technique (cire-perdu) originated in India during the Indus Valley Civilization, with the ‘Dancing Girl’ from Mohenjo-Daro being the earliest and most significant example of this tradition.

Your note

More from Chapter 7: Indian Bronze Sculpture

Consider the following statements regarding the Dhanesar Khera bronze Buddha: 1. It belongs to the state of Uttar Pradesh. 2. The drapery is transparent and clings to the body without any folds. 3. It exemplifies the Sarnath style of foldless drapery. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the Chola bronze Nataraja, consider the following statements: 1. The upper right hand holds the damaru. 2. The upper left hand holds the damaru. 3. The main right hand is in abhaya hasta. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

Consider the following statements regarding the Chaturanana Vishnu images: 1. They have four heads. 2. The additional faces represent Brahma and Shiva. 3. This iconographic form is also found in the art of Kashmir. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Adinath bronze image from Chausa? 1. It features short curly hair similar to other Tirthankaras. 2. It is depicted with long hairlocks dropping to the shoulders. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

With reference to the Nataraja bronze, consider the following statements: 1. The upper right hand holds the damaru, symbolizing the beat of time. 2. The upper left hand holds a trident. 3. The main left hand is held in abhaya mudra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

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Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The ‘lost-wax’ process was well-known to the artisans of the Indus Valley Civilization. Several bronze and copper figurines excavated from Harappan sites demonstrate a high degree of skill in this technique.
Statement 2 is Correct: The famous ‘Dancing Girl’ sculpture was discovered at Mohenjo-Daro and belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE). It does not date to the Mauryan period (c. 322-185 BCE), which came much later.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Bronze and copper casting were not restricted to ritual icons. Archaeological findings confirm that metal casting was utilized for a wide variety of objects, including daily use articles such as utensils, tools, weapons, and toys (e.g., carts and animals), in addition to votive or ritualistic figures.