Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) crystalline thin films have been synthesized on amorphous templates by dip method, using maleic acid ligand. Crystallographic studies confirms the deposited Bi2S3 films show the orthorhombic phase. The morphology of Bi2S3 films examined by scanning electron microscopy showed minute rods uniformly distributed. The ratio of Bi: S is about 2:3. Optical studies indicate an absorbance decrease as wavelength decreases with an optical gap of 1.66 eV. The activation energies are 0.076 for lower energy region and 0.232 eV for higher energy region. The material is suitable for solar applications.