NCERT to restore original Mohenjo-daro ‘Dancing Girl’ image in Class 9 arts textbook

NCERT will replace the modified Dancing Girl image in the Class 9 textbook with the original bronze sculpture after expert review.

The image appears in the opening chapter, “History of Arts”, of Madhurima, NCERT’s new class IX arts education textbook. In the version carried in the textbook, the torso of the figurine appears visually altered compared to photographs of the original artefact, with shading used across the upper body that obscures anatomical details visible in the sculpture.

New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will replace the modified image of the iconic "Dancing Girl" figurine of Mohenjo-daro in its Class 9 Arts textbook with the original version, following criticism over the 'clothed' depiction of the artefact.The move comes as a debate erupted over the representation of one of the most recognisable archaeological artefacts from the Indus Valley Civilisation in school textbooks.Asked by PTI whether the NCERT will replace the retouched image of the 'Dancing Girl' in the Class 9 Arts textbook with the original version, its Director Dinesh Saklani replied in the affirmative.The bronze figurine -- "Dancing Girl" of Mohenjo-daro -- was depicted with its bare torso covered in the opening chapter, "History of Arts", of Madhurima, NCERT's new Class 9 Arts education textbook.NCERT Faces Scrutiny Over Altered Depiction Of Mohenjo-Daro’s 'Dancing Girl' In Class 9 TextbookIn the version carried in the textbook, the torso of the figurine appears visually altered compared to the photographs of the original artefact, with shading used across the upper body that obscures anatomical details visible in the sculpture.Unlike the image used in the new Class 9 arts textbook, the "Dancing Girl" in NCERT's Class 6 Social Science textbook appears in a form closer to the original bronze sculpture.Michel Danino, who headed the textbook development committee for NCERT's new Class 6 Social Science books, said he had been told that the Dancing Girl figurine was considered "not age-appropriate"."This refers to our Grade 6 Social Science textbook. The reason I was given was that the image of the Dancing Girl was not 'age-appropriate', Danino told PTI."Our team disagreed; we even checked with teachers of Class 6 and they told us there was never a problem with the Dancing Girl," he said.Michel Danino On NCERT Judiciary Chapter Row: Says He 'Didn’t Expect' Backlash, Defends Withdrawn Section As AccurateDanino said, "The notion that nudity is inappropriate is, in my opinion, an obsolete Victorian view. Yet we speak of decolonising Indian education." Reacting to the image used in the Class 9 textbook, Danino said his first response was of "disbelief". "If the Dancing Girl cannot figure as she is, and with proper dimensions, in a chapter on Indian art, then we have a serious problem," he said.Danino said the modification "misrepresents the original artefact"."The modification misrepresents the original artefact just as the Church's addition of a fig leaf to Michelangelo's statue of David in the Middle Ages misrepresented that beautiful work of art," he said.On the significance of the figurine, Danino said archaeologists have offered differing interpretations and that little is known about its context. However, he noted that the same akimbo posture had been found on at least two potsherds from the Harappan site of Bhirrana in Rajasthan, suggesting that it held "a precise cultural value, probably an artistic one".He also criticised any alteration of images of historical artefacts."Unless this is clearly done to indicate the possible reconstruction of a partial artefact, altering such an image amounts to creating a fake artefact. It points to a serious lack of understanding of how historical artefacts are to be pictured," Danino said.VIDEO: Protest Erupts In Pune Over Removal Of Maratha Empire Map From NCERT TextbookThe chapter identifies the Dancing Girl as a bronze figurine from Mohenjo-daro dating to around 2600 BCE.The textbook states that the bronze figurine from Mohenjo-daro was made using the "lost-wax technique prevalent in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh"."This sculpture depicts a posture with one knee bent, one hand on the waist and a slightly lifted chin," it added.The chapter includes a discussion prompt asking students what they think is portrayed by the figure's pose. Another activity asks students to mimic the posture and sketch the pose while imagining various positions of the feet.The Dancing Girl, discovered at Mohenjo-daro, is among the most well-known artefacts associated with the Indus Valley Civilisation. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

After a wave of criticism, NCERT has decided to restore the authentic 'Dancing Girl' artwork in its Class 9 arts textbook. The previous modified version, which covered the figurine's torso, was regarded by many as a form of censorship. Following consultations with experts, the organization has chosen to present the true representation of this 4,500-year-old Indus Valley treasure.

New Delhi: The iconic "Dancing Girl" of Mohenjo-Daro, a 4,500-year-old bronze figurine that has featured in Indian school textbooks for decades, appears to have been altered in a newly released Class 9 art education textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).The image of the Mohenjo-daro Dancing Girl has appeared with its torso covered in an NCERT Class 9 textbook.At a time when there are issues like NEET paper leaks and CBSE OSM discrepancies, this is what the Ministry of Education is prioritising. Uneducated and incompetent… pic.twitter.com/zn4B1qYkuh— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) June 15, 2026 Alteration in textbook depictionThe figurine, one of the most celebrated artefacts of the Indus Valley Civilisation, is depicted in a darker shade in the new textbook, with parts of the torso covered compared to its original form.The image appears in a textbook that is part of NCERT's first-ever arts education series introduced for Classes 1 to 10 under the National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).The initiative aims to integrate arts education into mainstream schooling. Textbooks from Classes 1 to 9 have been released so far.NEET UG 2026 Refund Scam Alert: NTA Issues Refund Advisory, Warns Candidates Against Fraud Calls, Messages And Fake Links Original artefact detailsThe original bronze statuette, discovered at Mohenjo-Daro, stands just 10.5 cm tall and is notable for its naturalistic representation. The figure is depicted nude except for multiple bangles on one arm and a necklace.NCERT response and reviewANI reached out to NCERT Director Dinesh Shaklani for comment, but no response was received till the filing of this report.However, an NCERT official confirmed that the matter has been referred to the textbook development team for review.Telangana Launches Breakfast Scheme In Govt Schools; 6-Day Menu Includes Milk And Ragi Jawa "The matter has been referred to the textbook development team. They are looking into it. There is no specific reason. In the Grade 6 Social Science textbook, the Dancing Girl appears in its original form along with many other artefacts," the official said.Past representation debateThis is not the first time the famous Mohenjo-Daro figurine has been at the centre of a debate over its representation.In May 2023, on the occasion of International Museum Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Museum Expo at Delhi's Pragati Maidan and unveiled the event's mascot, a contemporary adaptation of the Dancing Girl.NEET UG Paper Leak Case: Delhi Court Allows CBI To Question 3 Prime Accused In Custody Over Alleged Conspiracy At the time, organisers described the mascot as a modern interpretation of the ancient figure, symbolising "contemporary dwarpals" welcoming visitors to the expo.However, the over five-foot-tall adaptation drew criticism from several historians, archaeologists and social media users, who argued that it significantly altered the appearance of the original artefact. While the ancient bronze figurine is dark in colour and unclothed except for jewellery, the mascot featured a fairer complexion and was dressed in a bright pink blouse and an off-white waistcoat.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

NCERT's new Class 9 arts textbook has altered the appearance of the Indus Valley Civilisation's 'Dancing Girl' artefact. The traditionally bare torso is now visually covered in the new edition. This change has drawn criticism from experts who argue it misrepresents the original 4,500-year-old bronze sculpture. The matter is currently under review by NCERT.