F. A. Khan
Fazal Ahmad Khan (1910–2009)[1] was a Pakistani archaeologist and Director General of the Department of Archaeology & Museums (DOAM)[2][3] from 1958 to 1970.[4] He was the student of Mortimer Wheeler.[5][6]
Early life and Education
[edit]Khan held double M.A. degrees in History and Geography from Aligarh Muslim University and a Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of London. His doctoral dissertation, "An Archaeological Study of the Indus Valley Civilizations and their Relationship to the Early Cultures of Iran," showcased his expertise in the field.[7]
Career
[edit]Khan joined the Department of Archaeology, Government of India in October 1938. In 1947, he was sent by the then Indian Government to China for three years to study Chinese archaeology. Following India's partition, he continued his service in Pakistan.[7]
Notable Contributions
[edit]Khan's work spanned over 25 years, focusing on comparative studies of the Indus Valley civilizations. He also explored archaeological problems of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim periods. His notable excavations include:[7]
- Kot Diji (1955–1957): He excavated this fortified city, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization.[8][9]
- Banbhore (1957–1965), The excavations carried out by the F. A. Khan revealed important architectural and archaeological remains of a pre-Islamic and Islamic settlement.[10][11]
- Mainamati (1962–1963): Khan led extensive excavations at Mainamati (East Pakistan), uncovering numerous Buddhist viharas, temples, and other structures dating back to the 7th-10th centuries AD.
Awards and honours
[edit]In recognition of his services the Government of Pakistan in 1961 conferred upon him the title of Tamga-i-Pakistan.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Hasan, Sh. Khurshid (2009). "F. A. Khan (1910-2009)". East and West. 59 (1–4). IsMEO: 393.
- ^ "Breathing life into history: The new Swat Museum". 10 November 2013.
- ^ Quraishī, Muḥammad Aslam (1987). "Barr-i ṣag̲h̲īr kā ḍrāmā: Tārīk̲h̲, afkār, aur intiqād" (in Urdu).
- ^ Badshah, Sardar; Saeed, Tahir (2019). "Origin of Archaeological Research Activities in Pakistan" (PDF). Pakistan Heritage. 11: 55.
- ^ Anjum, Faraz. Hussain, Mahboob (ed.). Pakistan @ 75: History, Politics, Culture. Lahore: Department of History and Pakistan Studies, University of the Punjab. p. 45.
- ^ Possehl, Gregory L. (1999). Indus Age: The Beginnings. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-3417-6.
- ^ a b c d Khan, F. A. (May 1964). "Archaeology in Pakistan" (PDF). Expedition Magazine. 6 (3): 11.
- ^ Dales, George F.; Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark; Alcock, Leslie (29 January 1986). Excavations at Mohenjo Daro, Pakistan: The Pottery, with an Account of the Pottery from the 195 Excavations of Sir Mortimer Wheeler. UPenn Museum of Archaeology. ISBN 978-0-934718-52-3.
- ^ Wheatley, Paul. The Origins and Character of the Ancient Chinese City, Volume 2: The Chinese City in Comparative Perspective. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 978-0-202-36769-9.
- ^ Manassero, Niccolò; Fiorani Piacentini, Valeria (2014). "The Site of Banbhore (Sindh-Pakistan)" (PDF). The Silk Road. 12: 82.
- ^ Jafari, Aqeel Abbas (17 June 2021). "بنبھور: قدیم شہر 'دیبل' اور سرزمین پاکستان کی پہلی مسجد کے آثار". BBC News اردو (in Urdu).
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