A critical view of Marshall’s Mother Goddess at Mohenjo-Daro

A critical reassessment of the 'Mother Goddess' interpretation at Mohenjo-Daro challenges long-standing assumptions about Harappan religious practices. The study argues that female clay figurines, previously considered idols of a universal Mother Goddess, were more likely home-made representations used to ward off evil forces or spirits, reflecting diverse Bronze Age ritual practices rather than a singular deity worship. This interpretation shifts the understanding of Harappan religion from a monolithic 'Mother Goddess' narrative to one embracing varied shamanistic and domestic rituals, supported by a contextual analysis of archaeological findings.

Ratnagar, S. (2016). A critical view of Marshall’s Mother Goddess at Mohenjo-Daro. Studies in People’s History, 3(2), 113–127. https://doi.org/10.1177/2348448916665714