The Pashupati Seal: Why A 4,300-Year-Old Artifact Is Causing A Storm Among Historians

The controversy was sparked when the Indian Ministry of Culture shared an image of the famous Pashupati Seal. The ministry described it as an important symbol of India’s “unbroken civilizational continuity”, identifying the seated figure on it as a Shiva-Pashupati (an early form of Hindu god Shiva, the Lord of Animals).

It all started with American historian Audrey Truschke, who challenged this claim on social media, writing: “This isn’t Shiva”. She argued that the imagery was likely influenced by ancient cultures from southwestern Iran (known as Proto-Elamite) and represented a broader, Eurasian “lord of animals” deity rather than a uniquely Hindu god.

Her comments quickly split historians, writers, and the public into three distinct camps.

 The Case for a Direct Connection to Shiva

Many Indian scholars and writers strongly defended the traditional view. They argue that looking at the seal through a purely foreign lens ignores the deep roots of local tradition.

The Animals and the Posture- Author Amish Tripathi pointed out that the seal features an elephant, a water buffalo, and a rhinoceros, animals that are native to the Indian land, not ancient Iran. He also noticed that the figure is sitting in a clear yogic posture.

The Yogic Position- Historian Lavanya Vemsani added that the figure is sitting in “Mulabandhasana”, a highly specific yoga pose. She argued that the combination of local Indian animals and yoga makes any comparison to Iranian seals inaccurate.

The View That the Theory is Outdated

On the other side, some historians argue that labeling the figure Proto-Shiva is an outdated idea left over by British colonial archaeologists.

The Colonial Footprint- Historian Ruchika Sharma noted that the British archaeologist John Marshall first made the Shiva connection in the 1920s based on assumptions rather than concrete proof.

A Shift in Traits- She highlighted that the features we associate with Shiva today like being a peaceful yogi and the ultimate “Pashupati” (protector of animals) didn’t firmly appear in literature until centuries later. In earlier ancient texts, the deity Rudra (associated with Shiva) was seen more as a destructive force of nature, not a protector. These scholars suggest the figure could actually be a local shaman, a tribal chief, or a fertility deity.

The Middle Ground (A Symbolic Prototype)

Mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik offers a different perspective, suggesting the truth might be a mix of both sides.

Visual Cues- He points out that different versions of the seal exist. One version feature has features resembling later tantric forms of Shiva, while another version has symbols that some interpret as female. This raises questions about whether the figure is male, female, or fluid.

The Posture is Real- However, Pattanaik agrees that the cross-legged sitting style is undeniably a precursor to modern yoga poses, representing a shared cultural thread that survived the test of time.

Why This Matters Today

Because the ancient Harrapan script has not been decoded to date, no one can read what is actually written on the seal. This leaves the door wide open for various interpretations.

For many, the seal represents a proud, unbroken bridge between modern India and one of the world’s oldest civilizations. For others, it is a reminder that ancient history is complex, overlapping with neighboring cultures, and shouldn’t be oversimplified to fit modern identities.

One thing is certain: nearly a century after it was dug out of the ground, this small stone carving still holds an incredible power to make people talk, argue, and think about where they come from.

This article is written by Yashasvi M, a student of St. Francis College, currently interning with Deccan Chronicle.