In the early 20th century, Rakhaldas Banerjee made one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of all time—the unearthing of Mohenjo-daro, the ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilization. Yet today, his name remains largely forgotten outside academic circles. Born in 1885 in Bengal, Banerjee was a brilliant yet controversial archaeologist who worked for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) during British colonial rule.
Mohenjo-daro, meaning “mound of the dead men” in Sindhi, is located in present-day Pakistan and was once the largest urban center of the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization. Banerjee first explored the site in 1919 and conducted extensive excavations between 1922 and 1923, uncovering seals, coins, stupas, pottery, and microliths. These findings revealed layers of ancient urban settlements dating back over 5,000 years.
Despite the monumental nature of his discovery, Banerjee’s contributions were overshadowed. His reports were never officially published by the ASI, and many historians believe his achievements were downplayed by then-ASI chief John Marshall, who took credit for the discovery. This suppression, combined with Banerjee’s independent spirit and clashes with British authorities, tarnished his reputation.
Historian Nayanjot Lahiri notes that Banerjee often bypassed bureaucratic protocols, sometimes moving artifacts between museums or purchasing antiques without official permission. These incidents, coupled with financial irregularities in his excavation expenses, led to disciplinary scrutiny. He was eventually transferred and later resigned from the ASI in 1927 under a cloud of controversy, including a now-dismissed case involving the alleged theft of a Buddhist idol.
Even after his resignation, Banerjee continued working in academia and later joined Banaras Hindu University as a professor. However, his life was cut short in 1930 at the age of 45. His later years were marked by financial struggles, fueled by a lifestyle of lavish spending.
Today, Rakhaldas Banerjee is remembered more prominently by historians in Bengal and among global Indus Valley scholars. His early fascination with India’s ancient past led to a groundbreaking discovery that reshaped our understanding of South Asian history. Yet, due to politics, colonial bias, and personal controversies, his legacy has faded from mainstream recognition—a tragic irony for the man who brought Mohenjo-daro to light.
