The famous terra-cotta images of rivers Ganga and Yamuna from the Gupta period have been found at

During the Gupta period, terracotta art reached a high level of sophistication, serving both religious and secular purposes [1]. The most famous life-sized terracotta images of the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna were discovered at Ahichchhatra (in present-day Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh) [1]. These figures were originally installed in niches flanking the entrance of a Shiva temple, symbolizing purification for the devotee entering the sanctum. Ganga is depicted standing on her vehicle, the makara (crocodile), while Yamuna stands on a kurma (tortoise) [1]. While other sites like Bhitargaon are renowned for their Gupta-era brick temples and terracotta panels, the specific iconic life-sized statues of these river goddesses are the hallmark of the Ahichchhatra excavations. This period is often called the 'Golden Age' or 'Classical Age' due to such excellence in craftsmanship across various media including clay, stone, and metal [3].

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Terracotta and Pottery > p. 98
2. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity > The Big Questions > p. 145
3. [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > List of Different Kinds of Taxes > p. 97