Which archaeologist is generally credited with discovering the Indus Valley Civilization through his excavations at Harappa?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the most important archaeological events in Indian history. Recognising which archaeologist first uncovered the remains at Harappa helps you connect names, sites and the broader story of how this ancient civilisation came to light in the modern period.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• We are asked which person is credited with this discovery.
• Options include Sir Leonard Woolley, V. S. Agrawala, Dayaram Sahni and A. L. Basham.
• We assume standard exam treatment, which usually links the discovery to excavations at Harappa.

Concept / Approach:
The first major excavations that revealed the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization were carried out at Harappa in the early 1920s, under the direction of Dayaram Sahni, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India. Shortly afterwards, R. D. Banerji excavated Mohenjodaro. Together, these excavations confirmed the presence of a previously unknown Bronze Age urban civilisation. In general knowledge questions, the credit for discovering the Indus Valley Civilization is commonly given to Dayaram Sahni, because his Harappa work came first.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Harappa was one of the first sites where excavation revealed a planned urban settlement of great antiquity.Step 2: Remember that Dayaram Sahni led the early excavations at Harappa around 1921.Step 3: Recognise that this discovery, combined with later work at Mohenjodaro, led scholars to identify the civilisation now called the Indus Valley or Harappan Civilization.Step 4: Compare the options and see that Dayaram Sahni is the only one directly associated with the initial Harappa excavation.Step 5: Therefore, select Dayaram Sahni as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on ancient India and archaeology repeatedly say that Dayaram Sahni excavated Harappa and that this work led to recognition of the Indus Valley Civilization. They also note that R. D. Banerji excavated Mohenjodaro soon after. While other scholars such as A. L. Basham later wrote about the civilisation, they did not discover it. Sir Leonard Woolley, famous for excavations in Mesopotamia, is not linked with Harappa in standard references.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sir Leonard Woolley: An eminent archaeologist, but known mainly for work at Ur in Mesopotamia, not for discovering the Indus Valley Civilization.V. S. Agrawala: A noted Indian scholar of art and archaeology, but not credited with the original Harappa excavations.A. L. Basham: A historian who wrote extensively on ancient India but did not participate in the discovery of Harappan sites.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the names of excavators, historians and foreign archaeologists. A simple way to remember is: Harappa – Dayaram Sahni; Mohenjodaro – R. D. Banerji. Keeping this pairing in mind makes it easier to answer questions about who discovered the Indus Valley Civilization in the competitive exam context.

Final Answer:
The Indus Valley Civilization is generally credited as having been discovered through the excavations at Harappa led by Dayaram Sahni.