Question

Who was the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India ?
A) Sir John Marshall
B) Sir Alexander Cunningham
C) Sir Votair
D) Sir Hasting

Answer 1

Hint: Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture which is responsible for archaeological research and conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country .

Complete answer:
(A)Sir John Marshall was the Director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928. The excavations of Harappa and Mohenjodaro were overlooked by him which is the t-wo of the main cities that comprises the Indus valley Civilization.
(B)The first Director of the Archaeological Survey of India is Alexander Cunningham. He wrote numerous books and monographs and made extensive collections of artefacts. Some of his collections were lost, but most of the gold and silver coins and a fine group of British Sculptures and jewellery were bought by the British Museum in 1894.
 (C)Sir Hastings is a British journalist and military historian, who has worked as a foreign correspondent for the BBC, editor-in-chief of The Daily Telegraph, and editor of the Evening Standard.
(D) Sir Lord Hastings, however, first had to deal in 1814–16 with the Gurkus of the northern kingdom of Nepal, who inflicted a series of defeats on a Bengal army unprepared for mountain warfare. Each side earned the respect of the other.

Hence the correct answer is option B.

Note: The Archaeological Survey of India is an attached office of the Ministry of Culture . Under the provisions of the AMASR Act of 1958, the ASI administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. These can include everything from temples, mosques, churches, tombs, and cemeteries to palaces, forts, step-wells, and rock-cut caves. The Survey also maintains ancient mounds and other similar sites which represent the remains of ancient habitation.