Chronological Order of Discovery of Indus Valley Sites

The correct chronological order of the discovery of the Indus Valley sites is:

1. Harappa
2. Mohenjodaro
3. Chanhudaro
4. Banwali

Let's understand the significance and discovery of each site in detail:

1. Harappa:
- Harappa is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- It is located in present-day Pakistan, in the Punjab province.
- The site was discovered in 1826 by British officer Charles Masson, who noticed the ruins of an ancient city.
- Archaeological excavations were carried out between 1920 and 1934 by an archaeologist named Sir John Marshall, which revealed the extensive urban planning and advanced civilization of the Harappan people.
- The discovery of Harappa provided the first evidence of the existence of an ancient urban civilization in the Indian subcontinent.

2. Mohenjodaro:
- Mohenjodaro, meaning "Mound of the Dead," is another significant Indus Valley site.
- It is located in present-day Pakistan, in the Sindh province.
- The site was discovered in 1922 by R. D. Banerji, an Indian archaeologist.
- Excavations were carried out by Sir John Marshall and his team from 1924 to 1925, revealing a well-planned city with advanced drainage systems, granaries, and a Great Bath.
- Mohenjodaro is considered one of the best-preserved examples of urban planning from the ancient world.

3. Chanhudaro:
- Chanhudaro is an archaeological site located in present-day Pakistan, in the Sindh province.
- It was discovered in 1931 by N.G. Majumdar, an Indian archaeologist.
- Excavations were conducted from 1935 to 1936, led by Ernest Mackay, a British archaeologist.
- Chanhudaro revealed evidence of urban planning, craft specialization, and trade networks of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- The site provides insights into the social and economic life of the Harappan people.

4. Banwali:
- Banwali is an Indus Valley site located in present-day Haryana, India.
- It was discovered in 1973 during a survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- Excavations were carried out between 1974 and 1977 by a team led by R.S. Bisht.
- Banwali is a smaller site compared to Harappa and Mohenjodaro, but it has provided valuable information about the rural settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- The discovery of Banwali contributed to a better understanding of the extent and distribution of the Indus Valley Civilization.

In conclusion, the correct chronological order of the discovery of the mentioned Indus Valley sites is Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro, and Banwali. These sites have played a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries of the Indus Valley Civilization and have provided valuable insights into the ancient urban civilization of the Indian subcontinent.