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R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1997

History of Indian Archaeology

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who was the director of the archaeological excavation that led to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The formal announcement of the Indus Valley Civilization was a watershed moment in global archaeology, overseen by the head of the ASI.

Explanation Sir John Marshall was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1902 to 1928. Under his leadership, R.D. Banerji and Daya Ram Sahni excavated Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: He was the first to use the term 'Indus Civilization'.
Logic 2: He officially announced the discovery of a 'new' prehistoric civilization to the world in the Illustrated London News in 1924.

Active Recall

Question

What was John Marshall's main contribution to Indian history?

Answer

He pushed back the known history of India by 2,000 years, moving the start of Indian civilization from the 6th century BCE to the 3rd millennium BCE.

Core Insight

Under Marshall, Indian archaeology transitioned from 'treasure hunting' to a scientific discipline that uncovered the foundations of urban South Asia.

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