Question

Who was often addressed as the father of Indian Archaeology?

• A. Alexander Birmingham
• B. Alexander Cunningham
• C. Alexander Hopkins
• D. Sir Thomas Moore
• A. Rakhigarhi
• B. Mohenjodaro
• C. Harappa
• D. Lothal
• A. B.B. Lal
• B. Alexander Cunningham
• C. M.S. Vats
• D. James Fergusson
• A. Brick Robbers
• B. British discoverers of the site
• C. Archaeological Survey of India
• D. Mughals
• A. Peshawar and Lahore
• B. Kabul and Kandahar
• C. Bombay and Thane
• D. Lahore and Multan

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The person who is often addressed as the father of Indian Archaeology is Alexander Cunningham. He was the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India. His contributions to the field of archaeology in India have been significant, as he was instrumental in documenting ancient Indian architecture and artifacts. One of the notable instances is his observation in 1875 regarding the Harappa site, where he noted the extensive damage caused by brick robbers, enough to lay bricks for about 100 miles of the railway line between Lahore and Multan. This reflects his crucial role in the early conservation efforts and archaeological studies in India.

Answer 2

Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, is known as the father of Indian Archaeology. He played a significant role in the development of archaeology as a formal discipline in India. Cunningham's extensive surveys and excavations in places like Sarnath and Taxila laid the foundation for the study of ancient Indian history, culture, and architecture.

He is particularly famous for his work on identifying and preserving ancient monuments, and his efforts helped in understanding India's rich archaeological heritage. Cunningham's contributions were crucial in shaping the archaeological landscape of India, leading to many significant discoveries about the country's past, which continue to be relevant to this day.

Answer 3

Explanation: Harappa was the first of the Indus Valley Civilization sites to be discovered. Despite its early recognition, the site was severely damaged due to brick robbers. Alexander Cunningham, known as the father of Indian archaeology and the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, observed that bricks taken from Harappa were used extensively, notably for laying approx. 100 miles of railway between Lahore and Multan. This led to significant damage to its ancient structures. In contrast, another site, Mohenjodaro, was found in a better preserved condition.

The correct answer is: Harappa

Answer 4

Harappa was the first site of the Indus Valley Civilization to be discovered, in 1921 by the archaeologist Daya Ram Sahni. It is located in present-day Pakistan, and its excavation revealed the advanced urban planning and culture of one of the world's earliest civilizations. Harappa, along with Mohenjo-Daro, is considered a major center of the Indus Valley Civilization.

The city's layout, with well-planned streets, advanced drainage systems, and large public baths, showcased a highly developed society. Harappa also yielded numerous artifacts, including seals, pottery, and tools, which provide important insights into the daily life, economy, and trade practices of the Indus people. This discovery significantly contributed to the understanding of ancient South Asian history.

Answer 5

The first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was Alexander Cunningham. He is often regarded as the father of Indian archaeology for his significant contributions to the study and preservation of India's ancient sites. During his tenure, one of his observations was about the vandalized state of Harappa, a major archaeological site in the Indus Valley, highlighting the extent of destruction by noting that the bricks used from the site were sufficient to construct about 100 miles of railway between Lahore and Multan.

Answer 6

Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a position he held from 1861 to 1885. He is regarded as the father of Indian archaeology due to his pioneering efforts in cataloging and preserving the ancient sites across the Indian subcontinent. Cunningham played a critical role in the discovery and excavation of several important archaeological sites, including the ancient city of Sanchi and the ruins of the Mauryan empire. His work laid the foundation for systematic archaeological surveys in India, contributing significantly to the study and conservation of India's rich cultural heritage. Cunningham’s contributions extended beyond the excavation of ancient ruins; he also made extensive efforts in documenting and analyzing inscriptions and ancient monuments. His work remains a cornerstone in the field of archaeology in India, inspiring generations of scholars to further explore and preserve India's archaeological history.

Answer 7

The Harappan site was primarily destroyed by Brick Robbers. Historical records indicate that significant damage was done to the site due to the theft of bricks. Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, noted in 1875 that the quantity of bricks removed from Harappa was sufficient to construct approximately 100 miles of railway track between Lahore and Multan. This large-scale removal of bricks led to substantial damage to the ancient structures, unlike Mohenjodaro, which was better preserved.

Answer 8

The Harappan site, one of the most important ancient civilizations in the Indus Valley, faced significant damage over the years due to brick robbers. These robbers, in search of high-quality bricks for modern construction, removed bricks from the ruins of the ancient city. This practice of brick robbery resulted in the degradation of many Harappan structures, leaving the site vulnerable to further deterioration.

As a result, many archaeological features, including well-planned streets, drainage systems, and even the remains of buildings, were compromised. This damage delayed further excavation and research efforts. Despite the setbacks caused by brick robbers, modern-day archaeologists have worked tirelessly to uncover the mysteries of the Harappan civilization, making it one of the most significant archaeological findings in history.

Answer 9

During the development of the railway infrastructure in the 19th century in British India, Harappan civilization bricks were used. The site of Harappa was extensively looted for its high-quality bricks which were then repurposed for laying the railway line. The railway line where these bricks were primarily used stretched between Lahore and Multan. This information is corroborated by Alexander Cunningham, who observed that bricks from Harappa were utilized for about 100 miles of this line. This significant act of utilizing ancient bricks led to considerable damage to the original Harappan site.

Therefore, the correct answer to the given question regarding the railway line where Harappan bricks were used is: Lahore and Multan

Answer 10

The bricks from the Harappan site were infamously used to lay the railway line between Lahore and Multan during the British colonial period. Due to the large availability of bricks at these ancient sites and the lack of preservation efforts at the time, the British authorities took advantage of these resources for infrastructure projects.

This practice led to further degradation of the Harappan archaeological remains, as the bricks were removed from important structures, including walls and buildings, to construct the railway line. It was only much later that the significance of these ancient sites was recognized, and preservation efforts began, but by then much of the archaeological heritage had been lost due to such exploitation.