The National Council of Educational Research and Training is reviewing a shaded illustration of a 4,500-year-old [1] Harappan figurine in a Class nine [2] textbook.
The controversy centers on whether the educational body is sanitizing ancient history to fit modern moral standards. Because these textbooks serve as the primary source of historical knowledge for millions of students, the alteration of a globally recognized artifact has sparked a debate over cultural authenticity and academic freedom.
The dispute involves the "Dancing Girl" figurine from the Indus Valley civilization. In the new art textbook released for the 2024-25 academic year, the illustration of the figurine includes shading over the torso. This differs from the original artifact, which is not shaded in that manner [1].
Critics argue the change is an attempt to censor the artifact. Dr. Sharma M, a spokesperson for the Congress party, said, "This is an attempt to rewrite history and present a Victorian‑era moralistic view of our heritage."
NCERT has acknowledged the difference between the textbook image and the actual object. An NCERT spokesperson said, "The illustration has been altered to shade the upper body, which is not how the original artefact appears."
The council said that the matter has been referred to the textbook development team for a formal review to ensure historical accuracy [1]. This move follows accusations that the shading was a deliberate attempt to modify the depiction of the ancient figure [2].
The "Dancing Girl" is one of the most famous artifacts from Mohenjo-daro, representing the artistic skill of the Harappan civilization. The current row highlights the tension between maintaining historical records and applying contemporary sensitivities to educational materials.
“The illustration has been altered to shade the upper body, which is not how the original artefact appears.”
This incident reflects a broader global tension between the preservation of historical authenticity and the desire to align educational content with modern social sensibilities. By altering a 4,500-year-old artifact, the NCERT has entered a sensitive debate regarding the 'sanitization' of history, where the choice of a visual representation can be interpreted as a political or moral statement on national heritage.
