From Harappan Toys to Living Traditions: An Analysis of Toys and Cart Models at the National Museum, New Delhi

Author(s)	Ms. Mansi jaiswal
Country	India
Abstract	The Harappan Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE) has yielded a rich assemblage of material remains that provide valuable insights into the social and cultural life of its people. Among these, terracotta toys and cart models occupy a distinctive place as indicators of childhood, craftsmanship, transportation technology, and popular traditions. The present paper is based on a field visit to the Harappan Gallery of the National Museum, New Delhi, where a variety of terracotta toys, zoomorphic figurines, cart models, and terracotta wheels are displayed. Through direct observation and archaeological interpretation, the study examines the form, function, and cultural significance of these artefacts. Furthermore, it explores the continuity of similar traditions in contemporary folk communities, demonstrating how ancient practices of toy-making and cart modelling continue to survive in various regions of the Indian subcontinent.
Keywords	Harappan Civilization, National Museum, Terracotta Toys, Cart Models, Material Culture, Folk Tradition, Cultural Continuity.
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-07
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.83148

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