One of the most recognisable artefacts from the Indus Valley Civilisation is set to return to Class 9 textbooks in its original form.
NCERT has decided to restore the original image of the famous ‘Dancing Girl’ of Mohenjo-daro after reports highlighted that the figurine appeared in an altered form in a newly introduced arts education textbook.
The decision was taken on Monday following a review by the Department of Arts Education and the textbook development committee. According to sources, the original image will be reinstated immediately in digital textbooks and will also appear in future printed editions.
What changed in NCERT’s Class 9 textbook image?
The issue centres on an image featured in Madhurima , NCERT’s new arts education textbook for Class 9.
In the version published in the book, the bronze statuette's upper body appeared different from photographs of the original artefact. Shading had been added across the torso, obscuring anatomical details that are visible in the centuries-old sculpture.
The image appeared in the textbook's opening chapter, titled History of Arts .
The alteration drew attention after reports compared the textbook illustration with the original Mohenjo-daro artefact, which is widely regarded as one of the defining symbols of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Why did NCERT decide to restore the original image?
According to an NCERT official, the matter was referred to the Department of Arts Education and the textbook committee for review after the issue came to light.
"The matter was referred to the Department of Arts Education and the textbook committee for review. Post review it was decided to restore the earlier image," the official said.
Sources said the decision was taken the same day the issue was discussed by the concerned departments.
As a result, the original image will now be used in the online versions of the textbook and in subsequent print runs.
Was the change discussed before publication?
The alteration reportedly did not go unnoticed during the textbook development process.
According to the report, reservations had been raised during discussions about how the figurine should be presented in the book.
However, the modified image still made its way into the published edition.
No NCERT official publicly clarified who approved the change or at what stage it was cleared for publication.
Why was the ‘Dancing Girl’ considered controversial?
The discussion around the image appears to stem from concerns about whether the original sculpture was suitable for younger students.
Michel Danino, who headed the textbook development committee for NCERT's new Class 6 social science books, said he had previously been told that the figurine was considered "not age-appropriate".
The bronze sculpture, discovered at Mohenjo-daro, is one of the most studied and reproduced artefacts from the Indus Valley Civilisation. It is frequently featured in museums, history books and educational material as an example of the artistic achievements of the ancient civilisation.
What happens next?
With NCERT's latest decision, students accessing the digital version of the textbook will see the original image restored.
Future printed editions will also carry the earlier version of the figurine instead of the altered illustration.
The move brings a quick end to a debate that began with questions over a single textbook image but soon expanded into a broader discussion about how historical and artistic artefacts should be represented in educational material.
(With TOI inputs)
