Bison Seal: The Angry Charger of the Indus Valley

What is the Bison Seal?
The Bison Seal is a flat, square steatite seal from the Indus Valley Civilization, dating back to 2500 BCE–1700 BCE. It’s double-sided: one side shows a bison with its head down, facing a trough, with four strange symbols written backwards above it. The other side has a swastika spinning counter-clockwise. It’s a cool piece from the ancient world of Harappa.

The Story Behind It
Picture a potter in Mohenjo-Daro, carefully carving a seal under flickering torchlight. On it, a bison glowers, head low and twisted, ready to charge with fury. Its horns gleam sharp, and its eyes burn with anger. In front of it sits a weird trough, flat-bottomed with curved sides, like a dish for a sacred meal. Some say this bison was a sign of a war god, fierce and unstoppable, stomping through battles. Kids scratched rough bison on pots, while priests made perfect ones for big rituals. The swastika on the back? Maybe a lucky charm or a secret mark of power.

A Long History
The Bison Seal comes from Harappa, dug up in the 1920s when explorers uncovered the Indus Valley’s lost cities. Bison show up a lot—on seals, pots, even toys—always with that angry, charging look. The trough’s odd shape is special to this place, not seen much outside. These seals were made between 2500 BCE and 1700 BCE, and they’ve lasted ages, now resting in museums.

Why It Matters
This seal tells us about the Indus Valley people’s lives. The bison’s mad stare might mean strength or a warrior spirit, maybe even a god’s helper. The trough hints at rituals—feeding something holy, perhaps. Seals like this were used for trade, stamped on goods, or worn as lucky charms, like ancient ID cards. The bison’s style pops up in nearby lands, but that trough? Pure Indus Valley flair.

Where to See It
You can find a Bison Seal at the National Museum on Janpath Road in New Delhi. It’s open 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Mondays—check their website for entry fees. Look for other Indus Valley stuff like pots and seals to get the full picture.

Fun Facts

• The bison’s head is always down and twisted—super angry every time!
• Kids made messy bison drawings, while grown-ups crafted fancy ones.
• The swastika was a good-luck sign back then, way before it meant anything else.
• That trough’s funky shape is an Indus Valley signature—totally unique!