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.
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.
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.
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.