RAS question
Kalibangan was first discovered by which archaeologist in 1952?
Correct answer: (A) Amlanand Ghosh.
Kalibangan was first discovered, or first highlighted in archaeological exploration, by Amlanand Ghosh in 1952.
Explanation
Kalibangan is linked to Amlanand Ghosh because Government of Rajasthan, Jan Kalyan Portal records that the site, on the left bank of the mostly dry Ghaggar in Pilibangan block of Hanumangarh district, was first highlighted by Shri Amlanand Ghosh during his exploration in 1952. This first identification came before the later excavation phase: after nine years, Prof. B.B. Lal, Shri B.K. Thapar and Shri J.P. Joshi excavated the site in nine seasons from 1961 to 1969 under the Archaeological Survey of India. That distinction is the key to the MCQ. Ghosh is the answer for discovery, while Lal and Thapar belong to the later full-scale excavation history that revealed Kalibangan's Early Harappan and Mature Harappan phases.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) B.B. Lal is associated with the later 1961-69 excavations at Kalibangan, not with its first discovery in 1952.
- (C) R.D. Banerji is associated with the discovery of Mohenjo-daro, so he does not fit Kalibangan's 1952 discovery.
- (D) Daya Ram Sahni is associated with Harappa excavation work, whereas Kalibangan's first discovery is attributed to Amlanand Ghosh.
Concept
This tests the Indus-Saraswati or Harappan archaeology portion of Rajasthan History, Art and Culture. RAS repeats such questions because Rajasthan sites like Kalibangan require candidates to distinguish discovery, excavation and cultural phase evidence.