Read the passage and answer the question :
"Perhaps the most unique features of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres. They had citadel and the lower towns. One of the most distinctive features of Harappan cities was the carefully planned drainage system. The roads intersected at right angles and were well planned."
Who was the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1875 ?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Alexander Cunningham
Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, wrote about Harappa as early as 1875, when he noted how much brick had been taken away from the ancient mound.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| 11-05 S2* 24-05 S1* | 28-05 S1* | 19-07 S1* | 30-05 S2* 13-06 S1* 16-06 S2* 23-06 S3 | 21-08 S2* |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2026-27): “The plight of Harappa … Although Harappa was the first site to be discovered, it was badly destroyed by brick robbers. As early as 1875, Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), often called the father of Indian archaeology, noted that the amount of brick taken from the ancient site was enough to lay bricks for ‘about 100 miles’ of the railway line between Lahore and Multan. Thus, many of the ancient structures at the site were damaged. In contrast, Mohenjodaro was far better preserved.” |