Pathik 2003 Vol 43 Ank 10 11 12

SR No.: 535516
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhartiben Shelat, Subhash Bramhabhatt
Publisher: Mansingji Barad Smarak Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 168
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Pathik, & India
File Size: 11 MB

Page 10

Dr. H. D. Sankalia : A Born Archaeologist
Dr. M. K. Dhavalikar*
SIN
*
Prof. H. D. Sankalia was a pioneer in every sense of the term. His contribution to Indian Archaeology was immense. Although his parents wanted him to be trained as a lawyer. he devoted himself to archacology for which he was destined. Dr. Sankalia had narrated a very interesting anecdote in his autobiography which is rightly titled Born for Archaeology. As astrologer had told his parents that according to a Nadi grantha he was destined to be a Jirņa-shodhaka. It is indeed surprising that a four Hundred years old Sanskrit text should coin the word jirņa-shodhaka a when
the discipline of archaeology itself was not born. Dr. II. D. Sankalia
Dr. Sankalia had his cducation at Bombay in St. Xavier's College where Father Heras selected him
because of his enthusiasm and interest in research. In fact it was Father Heras who should be given credit of bringing Dr. Sankalia to archacology. He insisted and convinced Dr. Sankalia's parents that he should be sent to England for advanced studies in Archaeology. There was no archaeology worth the name at Bombay either in the colleges or university in thirtees when Dr. Sankalia was a student. He studied History and Sanskrit at B.A. and was awarded M.A. for his thesis on University of Nalanda. In England he joined University of London where he was given systematic training by Dr. F. J. Richards for whom Dr. Sankalia had all praise. The discipline and methodical manner of study was imbibed on him by Dr. Richards which Dr. Sankalia had meticulously followed during the last five decades.
In England Dr. Sankalia's topic for Ph.D. thesis was “The Dynastic History of Gujarat Monuments”. He was awarded Ph.D. by University of London for his thesis but the most important was the training that he received from Sir Mortimer wheeler in his excavations at Maiden Castle, Dorset. In between he had to come to India for appearing for an interview at the Union public Service Commission in Simla. The Government of India did not find him suitable for Archacology. However, he utilized this visit for attending excavations at Chanhu-daro which Dr. E. J. H. Mackay was then conducting. Dr. Sankalia again attended for second time an interview for the post of Assistant Superintendent in Archaeological Survey of India but fortunately for the world of archacology he was rejected. Had he been selected
* Retd. Director, Deccan College, Pune
ulas dudas – gaut-241OLZ2-78342, 2003 • 4