New Delhi/ Bhopal June 16, 2026

One of the most recognisable symbols of the Indus Valley Civilisation has appeared in a new form in an NCERT textbook. The famous bronze figurine known as the “Dancing Girl” from Mohenjo-daro has been featured in NCERT’s newly introduced art education textbook for Class 9. However, unlike the image that generations of students have seen in school books, the new version shows the figure with its torso shaded.

According to media reports, the image appears in the opening section of the textbook titled History of Arts. The book is part of NCERT’s new arts education series prepared under the National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). The series aims to bring arts education into mainstream school learning from Classes 1 to 10.

The “Dancing Girl” is among the most famous artefacts discovered from the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro. The bronze figurine, believed to be around 4,000 years old, depicts a young girl standing confidently with one hand on her hip. Her hair is tied in a bun and she is adorned with bangles, a bracelet and a necklace.

For decades, the image has appeared in Indian school textbooks and has often been used to introduce students to the Harappan civilisation. Historians and archaeologists have frequently cited the figurine as evidence of the artistic skills and metalworking knowledge of one of the world’s earliest urban civilisations.

The original sculpture is preserved at the National Museum in New Delhi. In many textbooks, museum displays and academic publications, the figurine has been presented in its original form.

Media reports said discussions had taken place during the preparation of the new textbooks regarding the use of the image. Eventually, the image was retained in the book, though the version published carries the shaded torso. The change came after discussions among members involved in the textbook development process.

Reports suggest that while some members felt the image, in its original form, may not be suitable for placement as a chapter-opening visual in a school textbook, others argued that the artefact is an important historical object that has long been displayed in museums and educational material without alteration. The discussions eventually led to a middle path. The figurine remained part of the textbook, but the published image carried a shaded torso. This allowed the artefact to continue featuring in the curriculum while addressing differing views expressed during the consultation process.

The development has drawn attention because the "Dancing Girl" has been a familiar part of history education for decades. For many teachers, students and archaeology enthusiasts, it remains one of the most recognised symbols of the Harappan civilisation and a reminder of the artistic achievements of one of the world's earliest urban societies. The revised artwork has drawn attention because of the figurine’s long association with Indian history education. The “Dancing Girl” is often regarded as one of the defining cultural symbols of the Harappan civilisation and remains one of the most widely recognised archaeological discoveries from the Indian subcontinent.

NCERT has recently introduced several new textbooks as part of curriculum changes being rolled out under the NEP. The new arts education books are among the latest additions and are intended to give students greater exposure to India's artistic and cultural heritage. For many students, the “Dancing Girl” may still serve as their first introduction to the Indus Valley Civilisation. The difference this time is that the iconic figure now appears in a new visual form in the pages of a school textbook.