The iconic bronze ‘Dancing Girl’ figurine from Mohenjo-daro has appeared in a new NCERT textbook with its torso covered, triggering sharp criticism from historians who have called the change an act of censorship.

The modified image features in the first chapter ‘History of Arts’ of the Class 9 textbook Madurima, part of NCERT’s new Arts Education Series prepared under the National Education Policy and National Curriculum Framework. In the published version, the area below the shoulders is covered, unlike the original statue which has always been shown with its upper body uncovered in textbooks and publications for the past 25 years. The colour of the statue has also been altered.

The 4-inch bronze figure, discovered during excavations at Mohenjo-daro in 1926, is one of the most famous artefacts of the Harappan civilisation. It depicts a young woman standing confidently with her right hand on her waist, left hand on her thigh, bangles on her arms and hair tied in a bun. The original is displayed at the National Museum in New Delhi.

Historian Michel Danino, who earlier headed the Textbook Development Committee for NCERT’s Class 6 Social Science book, described the alteration as unfair to students. He said covering the entire torso creates a version of the statue that does not exist in reality and amounts to censorship of historical evidence.

Danino questioned whether such changes mean students will now be discouraged from seeing the original statue or other ancient semi-nude sculptures at museums. He had earlier raised concerns when NCERT reportedly objected to placing the unaltered image on the first page of the Indus Valley chapter in the Class 6 book. It was later moved to an inside page.

When contacted, NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani told media that there was no specific reason for the change. He clarified that the Dancing Girl continues to be shown in its original form in the Class 6 Social Science textbook and remains recognised as one of the most significant discoveries of the Harappan era.

The controversy has sparked debate on how ancient Indian art and history are being presented in school textbooks. Critics argue that altering historical artefacts to suit modern sensitivities distorts the understanding of Indus Valley society, which is known for its advanced and relatively liberal artistic expressions.

Supporters of the change, though not quoted officially, often point to concerns about age-appropriateness in school material. However, historians maintain that the statue has been part of standard curricula for decades without issue and that students should be exposed to authentic representations of the past.

This is not the first time NCERT textbooks have come under scrutiny for content related to history and culture. The ongoing revision of books under NEP has led to several debates, with some welcoming the updates while others worry about selective editing of facts.

The Dancing Girl, despite its small size, has fascinated archaeologists and art lovers for nearly a century. It is considered a masterpiece of lost-wax casting technique used by Harappan artisans. Many see it as a symbol of the confidence and elegance of women in that ancient civilisation.

As the new textbook makes its way into classrooms, teachers and parents are divided. Some feel the cover-up is unnecessary prudishness, while others believe it protects young minds. Danino and others have warned that such practices could set a dangerous precedent for handling other nude or semi-nude sculptures from ancient India, including those in temples and museums.

NCERT has so far not issued a detailed explanation or announced any review of the image. The Class 9 Madurima book is among the latest in the series released for Classes 1 to 9.

For now, the original statue continues to be displayed publicly at the National Museum, where visitors of all ages can see it in its unaltered form. Whether the textbook version will be revised remains to be seen.

The episode has once again highlighted the tension between cultural representation, educational content and contemporary sensitivities in India’s evolving curriculum.