NCERT Class 11 Fine Art Bhartiya Kala ka parichay: Chapter 7 — भारतीय कांसय प्रतिमाए
This chapter, "Indian Bronze Sculptures," from NCERT's Class 11 Fine Art textbook "Bhartiya Kala ka parichay," explores the rich tradition of bronze casting in India. It highlights the ancient 'lost-wax' (cire perdue) technique mastered by Indian sculptors, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The chapter discusses the creation of bronze statues of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain deities, spanning from the 2nd to the 16th century CE. It details significant finds like the 'Dancing Girl' from Mohenjo-daro, sculptures from Daimabad, and Jain Tirthankara figures from Chausa and Akota. The text emphasizes the sculptors' skill in depicting human anatomy and the evolution of styles influenced by Gupta and Vakataka periods. It also touches upon the use of bronze for everyday utensils and the continuation of the lost-wax technique by tribal communities. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of India's mastery in bronze sculpture, contributing to a deeper understanding of its artistic heritage.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Fine Art |
| Book | Bhartiya Kala ka parichay |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — भारतीय कांसय प्रतिमाए |
| Language | Hindi |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 762 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the ancient Indian technique of bronze casting (lost-wax process).
- Identify and appreciate significant bronze sculptures from different periods and regions of India.
- Recognize the religious and artistic importance of bronze sculptures of deities and Tirthankaras.
- Analyze the evolution of styles and craftsmanship in Indian bronze sculptures.
- Connect ancient bronze casting traditions with contemporary tribal art practices.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कांसे | Bronze (an alloy of copper, tin, and sometimes zinc) |
| लुप्त-मोम | Lost-wax (cire perdue) process of casting |
| मिश्रधातु | Alloy |
| प्रतिमाएँ | Sculptures/Idols |
| कुषाण काल | Kushan period |
| तीर्थंकर | Jain spiritual teachers |
| निर्वास्त्र | Nude/Unclothed |
| शासन देवियाँ | Guardian deities |
| अभयय मुद्रा | Abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness) |
| संघति | Monastic robe worn by Buddhist monks |
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Practice questions
- भारतीय मूर्तिकारों ने कांसे की ढलाई के लिए किस प्राचीन प्रक्रिया का उपयोग किया? Answer: भारतीय मूर्तिकारों ने कांसे की ढलाई के लिए 'लुप्त-मोम' (cire perdue) प्रक्रिया का उपयोग किया।
- मोहनजोदड़ो से प्राप्त सबसे प्राचीन कांस्य मूर्ति कौन सी है? Answer: मोहनजोदड़ो से प्राप्त सबसे प्राचीन कांस्य मूर्ति 'नाचती हुई लड़की' (नर्तकी) है।
- बिहार के चौसा स्थल से किस धर्म की कांस्य प्रतिमाएँ पाई गई हैं? Answer: बिहार के चौसा स्थल से जैन तीर्थंकरों की कांस्य प्रतिमाएँ पाई गई हैं।
- अकोटा (वडोदरा के पास) से प्राप्त जैन कांस्य प्रतिमाओं का अनुमानित काल क्या है? Answer: अकोटा से प्राप्त जैन कांस्य प्रतिमाओं का काल पाँचवीं शताब्दी के अंत से सातवीं शताब्दी के अंत तक का माना जाता है।
- गुप्त काल में उत्तर भारत में ढाली गई बुद्ध की प्रतिमाओं में बुद्ध को किस मुद्रा में दर्शाया गया है? Answer: गुप्त काल में उत्तर भारत में ढाली गई बुद्ध की प्रतिमाओं में बुद्ध को अभयय मुद्रा में दर्शाया गया है।
Practice MCQs
Q1. भारतीय मूर्तिकारों ने किस प्राचीन सभ्यता काल में ही लुप्त-मोम की प्रक्रिया सीखी थी?
Explanation: The text explicitly states that sculptors learned the lost-wax process in the ancient period of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Q2. Which metal alloy is commonly referred to as 'कांस्य' (bronze) in the text?
Explanation: The chapter mentions that bronze is made by mixing metals like copper, zinc, and tin.
Q3. The 'Dancing Girl' statue, considered one of the oldest bronze sculptures, was found at which site?
Explanation: The text identifies the 'Dancing Girl' statue from Mohenjo-daro as possibly the oldest bronze sculpture.
Q4. Jain Tirthankara statues from Chausa (Bihar) are dated to which period?
Explanation: The text states that Jain Tirthankara statues from Chausa are from the second century CE, which corresponds to the Kushan period.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a site for finding Jain bronze sculptures?
Explanation: While Akota, Chausa, and Hansi are mentioned for Jain bronze sculptures, Sarnath is not listed in this context.
Q6. The text mentions 'शासन देवियाँ' (guardian deities) associated with which religious figures?
Explanation: The chapter discusses guardian deities like Chakreshwari (associated with Adinath) and Ambika (associated with Neminath) in the context of Jain Tirthankaras.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 'lost-wax' process mentioned in the chapter?
The 'lost-wax' (cire perdue) process is an ancient technique used by sculptors to create metal castings, particularly bronze, by first making a wax model.
Which is considered the oldest bronze sculpture found in India?
The 'Dancing Girl' statue, found at Mohenjo-daro and dated to around 2500 BCE, is considered possibly the oldest bronze sculpture from India.
What types of deities were commonly depicted in ancient Indian bronze sculptures?
Ancient Indian bronze sculptures commonly depicted deities from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
From where have numerous Jain Tirthankara bronze sculptures been found?
Chausa (Bihar), Akota (near Vadodara), and Hansi (Haryana) are key sites mentioned for Jain bronze sculptures.
What is the significance of the bronze sculptures from the Kushan period found in Bihar?
The Kushan period bronze sculptures from Bihar, particularly of Jain Tirthankaras, showcase the sculptors' skill in depicting male anatomy and well-defined muscles, often in a nude form.
What does the chapter say about the use of bronze beyond religious sculptures?
The chapter mentions that the bronze casting technique was also used for making everyday utensils for cooking, eating, and drinking.
Which periods influenced the style of bronze sculptures found in Gujarat and Western India between the 6th and 9th centuries CE?
The bronze sculptures from Gujarat and Western India during this period were influenced by the styles of both the Gupta and Vakataka eras.
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NCERT Class 11 Fine Art — Bhartiya Kala ka parichay — Chapter 7 — भारतीय कांसय प्रतिमाए. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.