The Life and Works of Rakhaldas Banerji

Contents: Part I: Life. 1. Introduction. 2. Early Life. 3. Service. 4. Personality. Part II: Works Archeological.  5. Major Excavatory Works. 6. Mohenjo- Daro. 7. Epigraphy. 8. Numismatics. 9. Catalogue of Sculptures and Inscriptions. Part 3: Works Historical and Literary Publications.  10. Review of books on regional and general history. 11. Review of memories. 12. Review of literary works. Part IV: Conclusion. 13. Interviews. 14. Conclusion. 

This book is an extensive work on Prof. Rakhaldas Banerji who stood intellectually taller than any scholar of his time. He achieved what scholars like Partrika in Egypt, Botha, Layard and Wolley in Mesopotamia, Sir Arthur Evans in Crete and Champollion at Hisarlic had achieved through archeological excavations and scientific application of history.

His discovery of Mohenjo – Daro, a civilization more than 5000 years old changed the opinion about India which till then was considered to be a nation with young civilization in spite of knowledge of Vedas and Purana. Rakhaldas’s personal initiative, special instinct and sharp mind lead to discovery of Mohenjo – Daro and brought India overnight in the ranks of older civilization like those of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and China.

This book also delves into the discovery of distinguished Indian historical sites of Bhumara, Gurgi, Chandrehi, Baijnath, Amarkantak and Paharpur by Rakhaldas Banerji which had gone unnoticed during the survey by British stalwart Archaeologist, Cunningham and Beglar. Because of his intellectual superiority Rakhaldas had to suffer the jealousy of British officials in ASI to the extent that he was falsely incriminated in the theft of 'Chausath Yogini' idol which had no historical value.

The book also shows that Rakhaldas was a renowned Epigraphist and Numismatist. In his short-span of life he has edited 80 inscriptions belonging to Ancient and Medieval period written in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Kharosti script. He has deciphered collection of coins which were of Australian and Afghan origin.

Among the Indian historians he was a leading personality in switching the course of history writing from its literary base to archeological foundation. He has contributed immensely in writing unbiased account of 'Age of Imperial Gupta’s', 'Pre-historic ancient and Hindu India' and the regional history of Bengal and Orissa.

This book is an original piece of intense research fortified by a part of the author’s being that she gave to make it a 'one-of-its-kind' read in the history of Indian History.