Read the passage and answer the questions:
When Cunningham, the first Director-General of the ASI, began archaeological excavations in the mid-nineteenth century, archaeologists preferred to use the written word (texts and inscription) as a guide to investigations. In fact, Cunningham’s main interest was in the archaeology of the Early Historic (c. sixth century BCE-fourth century CE) and later periods. He used the accounts left by Chinese Buddhist pilgrims who had visited the subcontinent between the fourth and seventh centuries CE to locate early settlements. Cunningham also collected, documented and translated inscriptions found during his surveys. When he excavated sites he tended to recover artefacts that he thought had cultural value.
Which was the first site of ancient Indian civilization, discovered by Alexander Cunningham?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Harappa
The passage talks about Cunningham’s excavations and his use of texts and inscriptions. Although Mohenjodaro is the best-known site, the first site to be discovered was Harappa. As early as 1875, Cunningham noted how badly Harappa had been destroyed by brick robbers.
Hence, the answer is Harappa.
NCERT (2026-27): “3. Mohanjodaro A Planned Urban Centre … Perhaps the most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres. Let us look at one such centre, Mohenjodaro, more closely. Although Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site, the first site to be discovered was 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.” |