Daya Ram Sahni
Topic: Harappan (Sindhu-Sarasvati) Civilisation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Bricks, Beads and Bones"
Meaning
Daya Ram Sahni was an Indian archaeologist who began excavating Harappa in 1921. He found seals in layers much older than the Early Historic period (the time of the first Ganga-valley cities). This showed that a much earlier culture had existed. His work, with the finds at Mohenjo-daro, led John Marshall to announce a new civilisation in 1924.
Example
In 1875, Alexander Cunningham reported a Harappan seal but could not place it in time. Sahni's 1921 dig at Harappa, in Punjab (now in Pakistan), gave such seals a secure early date. Because Harappa was found first, the whole civilisation is called "Harappan".
Don't confuse with
- R.D. Banerji: Banerji worked at Mohenjo-daro in Sindh from 1922. Sahni worked at Harappa in 1921.
Related concepts
- Rakhal Das Banerji
- John Marshall
- B.B. Lal
- Archaeogenetics
- Rakhigarhi DNA study
- Vasant Shinde
- Rakhigarhi icon site
- Harappan-Vedic relationship debate