1) Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni - an Indian archaeologist who led the first excavation of Harappa. In essence first archaeologist to systematically explore any site of Sindhu Saraswati civilization.
Later on thorough excavation at Harappa was done by Pandit Madho Sarup Vats.
Later on thorough excavation at Harappa was done by Pandit Madho Sarup Vats.
2) Rakhal Das Benrjee - Archaeologist who first explored Mohenjo-Daro and determined it to be the site of remote antiquity. He was the first one to conclude that both Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro belonged to the same civilization.
3) Rao Bahadur Kashinath Narayan Dikshit - He led first large scale excavations of Mohenjo-Daro that recovered large number of artifacts, leading towards the further progress in discovering Sindhu Saraswati civilization
4) Yet in modern discourse none of these people (Especially Rakhal Das Benerjee) are credited to the discovery of the Sindu Saraswati civilization. It is rather attributed solely to Sir John Marshall - then director general of ASI!
5) Story however doesn't end here. For instance post independence S. Ranganatha Rao led extensive exploration in Gujarat and subsequent excavation of Lothal and other sites.
6) Ravindra Singh Bisht is other notable archaeologist whose excavation at Dholavira in Kutch showed us the impressive character of the city.
7) Similarly excavations in Haryana and Rajasthan by other notable Archaeologists like B.B Lal and B.K Thapar led to the discoveries at Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi etc. Overall their discoveries on the Indian side of the border changed the entire narrative of Sindhu Sarasvati civ.
8) And yet despite of such talented Indian archeologists in the field, the written discourse on SSC is still dominated by the western "Indologist" One wonders where exactly lies the fault. Comrade traitors at home, apathy of government or the eurocentrism of western scholars!
