[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c22.s2.7 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c22.s2.7 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c22.s2.7 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c22.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c22.s2.7) The largest number of terracotta human figurines of ancient India are found in the period \*c.\* 600 B.C. to A.D 650. It is from the pre-NBPW or early NBPW levels \[4.18.1\] that we gradually begin to get human figurines at BUXAR, PĀTALIPUTRA, CHIRAND, KAUŚĀMBĪ, MATHURA, etc. These are crudely hand-modelled and the use of the punching technique is noticeable. From \*c.\* 300 B.C. we get refined specimens whose face is moulded but the body hand-modelled. At PĀTALIPUTRA and SONPUR, early NBPW level, the 'dancing girls' modelled in the round with fluttering skirts seem to have Hellenistic influence. They seem to be secular in function and were meant perhaps to decorate palatial mansions. The BUXAR female figurines with foreign facial features, exquisite head-dress and vegetal and floral decoration on the head and ears seem to be associated with the fertility or vegetation cult. An important centre in the n., MATHURA, has steatopygous female figurines produced in grey terracotta with stumpy limbs, a well-marked navel and a girdle. Male figurines whose function is not known are also reported from PĀTALIPUTRA, MATHURA, SONKH, etc. - [Previous: v1.c22.s2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c22.s2.6) - [Next: v1.c22.s2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c22.s2.8) - [Up: v1.c22.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c22.s2) ## Linked texts (6) - [Sonkh](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sonkh) - [Kauśāmbī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.kausambi) - [Pāṭaliputra](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.pataliputra) - [Chirand](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.chirand) - [Sonpur](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sonpur) - [Buxar](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.buxar) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c22.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c22.s2.7) · Pramāṇa