History of Indian Archaeology
Director of Harappa and Mohenjodaro Excavations
Sir John Marshall was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India who oversaw the discovery and excavation of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class 12 - Themes in Indian History Part I
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
1997
Evidence Source
Link ↗Who was the director of the archaeological excavation that led to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro?
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1997]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
The formal announcement of the Indus Valley Civilization was a watershed moment in global archaeology, overseen by the head of the ASI.
Authentic Source Evidence
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.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"What was John Marshall's main contribution to Indian history?"
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.
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"Under Marshall, Indian archaeology transitioned from 'treasure hunting' to a scientific discipline that uncovered the foundations of urban South Asia."
Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)