India has always played a leading role in the world in terms of art, culture, and abundance. The terracotta temples of Bengal are unique among the ancient temple-building traditions found throughout India. These creations were inspired by their innate sense of beauty and aesthetics. Similar to other disciplines, it is widely held that a complete understanding of art is unattainable without considering its social context. The temples were not only constructed as places of religious worship but also served as valuable examples of artistic expression by skilled craftsmen. These architectural styles offer a vivid portrayal of Bengali culture. The terracotta craftsmanship provides a deep insight into the region's artistic heritage. As we move into the 19th century, there is a noticeable shift: a decline in mythological motifs and a rise in social motifs, In this context, our subject is the social impact of the terracotta temples of Bengal. Various depictions of social stratification can be seen on various temple plaques during this period such as Women in Temple Sculptures, The zamindari lifestyle, Hunting scenes, Music practice in the temple panel, Ordinary People and their Livelihood, Sexuality in Temple Sculpture. It can be said that the primary elements of temple decoration emerge from various literary and social sources. The artists of these temples belonged to the Sutradhar community, a lower class within the Hindu society. Most of their work was dictated by the needs of the elite. This omission highlights the priorities of the working world. Instead, high-class social themes and mentalities are prominently featured in temple decorations.
Koushik Halder (2025) studied this question.