Ox- or water buffalo-drawn cart with driver from Harappa
Terracotta figurines have long been considered toys, often without question.
Ancient Indus water buffalo figurines and motifs.
Water buffalo figurine from Harappa
Water buffalo are often similar to figurines of humpless cattle, except that the water buffalo figurines usually have large (and sometimes incised) backswept horns.
Approximate dimensions (W x H(L) x D): 6.0 x 8.0 x 6.0 cm.
Seals, Mohenjo-daro
Other animal motifs appearing on seals found primarily at the largest cities include dangerous wild animals like the rhinoceros, the water buffalo, the gharial (crocodile) and the tiger.
Water buffalo figurine from Harappa
Some quadruped figurines are difficult to classify because the general form and many of the attributes of humpless cattle, water buffalo, and even rams may be very similar. Any of the three may have incising on the face and/or horns.
Attachable water buffalo horns from Harappa
The appropriation of animal attributes can be accomplished through such paraphernalia as masks/amulets and other objects that can be attached to a costume.