What are these? Two of the life-size terracotta warriors found in the underground mausoleum of Qin Shihuang, who ruled China in the third century BC, in Xi’an in Shaanxi province. The Qin warriors displayed at the National Library measure 188cm by 70cm and 190cm by 60cm. Why are they so SIGNIFICANT? These are two of the nearly 8,000 terracotta warriors discovered in the three pits of Emperor Qin Shihuang’s mausoleum in 1974. The sheer number, size and realistic representation of the army complete with foot soldiers, chariots, riders on horseback, archers... make this the eighth wonder of the world for many. The Qin warriors are as celebrated a symbol of China as the Great Wall. IS THIS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE COMING TO CALCUTTA? Yes, after touring Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. WHERE AND WHEN CAN YOU SEE THEM UP CLOSE? The ancient warriors, along with other Chinese artefacts, will be on display at the Belvedere House of National Library from September 8 to November 7. Governor M.K. Narayanan will inaugurate the exhibition, Treasures of Ancient China, at 5pm on Thursday. It is being organised by the Union ministry of culture and the Archaeological Survey of India with the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China. The Treasures of Ancient China will be open from 10am to 5pm every day. Picture by Pradip Sanyal