An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s9.41

v1.c9.s9.41

Not much detailed evidence is available regarding the dress of the Indus people. From a figure painted on a pot from Harappa it is seen that *dhoti* was in use. Likewise, the sculpture of the priest or yogī from Mohenjo-daro shows that shawl was used as an upper garment. It may perhaps be added, for whatever it is worth, that both *dhoti* and shawl have been until recently, and in many areas still are, the conventional dress of a Hindu. From the presence of needles and buttons one may justifiably conclude that at least some garments were stitched. Some female figures depicted on seals wear a kind of skirt or tunic, but that is rather rare. The terracotta figurines, which are more common, unfortunately do not throw any significant light on the dress. But these figurines do tell us a lot about the kind of ornaments worn, of which actual specimens in gold, silver and precious stones have also been found. The ornaments [10.3] included a variety of necklaces, ear-rings, bracelets, bangles, girdles, anklets and the *bija*—a hollow conical object worn on the forehead even today by women in Rajasthan.