Which of the following archaeologists is associated with the excavations at Harappa?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:

Daya Ram Sahani is correctly associated with the excavations at Harappa because he was the first Indian archaeologist to lead excavations at the site in 1920-21. These early excavations were crucial in establishing the historical significance of Harappa as one of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Sahani worked under the supervision of Sir John Hubert Marshall, who was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the time. His pioneering work brought to light many artifacts and structures that indicated a highly developed ancient civilization, predating many previously known Indian historical periods.

The incorrect option is 2:

R.D. Banerji (Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay) is primarily credited with the discovery and initial excavations of Mohenjo-Daro in 1922, not Harappa. While both Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are key sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation, their primary excavators are distinct.

The incorrect option is 3:

S.R. Rao is known for his significant archaeological work at the site of Lothal, an ancient port city of the Indus Valley Civilisation located in Gujarat, India. He discovered Lothal in 1954 and led extensive excavations there, but his primary association is not with Harappa.

The incorrect option is 4:

B.B. Lal (Braj Basi Lal) was a prominent Indian archaeologist who conducted extensive excavations at various sites, including Hastinapura, and is particularly known for his work related to the Mahabharata. While he made substantial contributions to Indian archaeology, his name is not specifically associated with the initial or major excavations at Harappa.