Moderator: “The Harappan civilisation left behind a rich artistic record. What can their depictions of nudity tell us about their beliefs and way of life?”
Responder: “The Harappan, or Indus Valley Civilisation, one of the world's earliest urban societies, flourished between 3300 and 1300 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. Archaeological evidence, including clay figurines, sculptures and seals, suggests that nudity was not inherently taboo in this sophisticated culture. Whilst everyday clothing was worn for function and adornment, representations of the human body in Harappan art highlight a culture where nudity was accepted in religious, artistic and philosophical contexts.”
Responder: "Harappan civilisation left behind numerous terracotta figurines depicting both clothed and unclothed individuals. Many of these figures, especially female ones, are believed to represent fertility goddesses or mother deities. Their exaggerated features suggest an association with fertility, motherhood and divine power, rather than any sense of shame or impropriety.
Additionally, some artefacts depict individuals in what appear to be yoga poses, hinting at the civilisation’s early engagement with physical and spiritual practices that later became central to Indian traditions. These representations, whether clothed or nude, emphasise an holistic view of the human body as a conduit for health, spirituality and vitality.”
Responder: “Later social attitudes influenced by external forces, ancient Indian society exhibited a more open perspective on sexuality and nudity. The Kama Sutra, compiled centuries later, reflects an enduring cultural acceptance of human sexuality, intimacy and physical expression as natural and even sacred. This text suggests that explicit discussions of sex were not inherently taboo in ancient Indian traditions, but rather part of a broader discourse on human relationships and fulfilment.”
Responder: “Accounts tell of Alexander the Great’s encounters with Indian gymnosophists - naked philosophers - who lived in ascetic simplicity, rejecting material possessions - including clothing - as part of a lifestyle and spiritual practice. These naked philosophers fascinated Greek historians and represented a counterpoint to structured social hierarchies of both India and Greece, emphasising pursuit of wisdom over material wealth.
Some schools of Ancient Greek philosophy - such as Cynicism, Skepticism and Epicureanism - promoted a rejection of material excess and a return to a simple, natural life and may have been influenced by contact with other cultures. Gymnosophists were found not only in India but also, according to some accounts, in Ethiopia. These ascetics rejected material possessions and clothing in pursuit of wisdom and spiritual enlightenment, reflecting a broader cross-cultural theme of naturism as a means of transcending societal constraints.”