John Marshall (archaeologist)

Sir John Hubert Marshall (19 March 1876 – 17 August 1958) was a British archaeologist best known for his work in India and particularly for his role in the excavation of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, two of the main cities of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Marshall was born in Chester, England and educated at St John's College, Cambridge. In 1902, he was appointed Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a position he held until 1928. This appointment marked a significant shift in the ASI's focus, moving from primarily epigraphic studies towards a broader archaeological approach.

During his tenure, Marshall initiated a program of systematic excavation and conservation across the Indian subcontinent. He oversaw the exploration of numerous important sites, including Sanchi, Taxila, and the aforementioned Indus Valley sites. His methodical approach to excavation and documentation laid the foundation for modern archaeological practices in India.

The discovery of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, announced in the 1920s, was a watershed moment in South Asian history. These urban centers revealed a previously unknown civilization, pushing back the history of the region by several millennia. Marshall's publications, including "Mohenjo-daro and the Indus Civilization" (1931), were crucial in disseminating knowledge about this groundbreaking discovery to the wider world.

While Marshall's work was undeniably significant, it has also been subject to some criticism. Some scholars argue that his focus on finding grand structures and artifacts led to a neglect of more mundane aspects of daily life in the Indus cities. Additionally, the speed of the excavations has been questioned, with some arguing that it led to the loss of valuable contextual information.

Despite these criticisms, Sir John Marshall's contributions to Indian archaeology remain immense. He is remembered as a key figure in shaping the discipline and revealing the rich and complex history of the Indian subcontinent. He was knighted in 1914 for his services.