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{{More citations needed | {{Short description|Indian archeologist (1925–2003)}} | ||
| date = December 2016 | {{More citations needed|date = December 2016}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} | |||
{{Infobox scientist | |||
| name = Debala Mitra | |||
| image = | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1925|12|14|df=y}} | |||
| birth_place = [[Khulna]], [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal Province]], [[British India]] {{small|(now in [[Bangladesh]])}} | |||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2003|12|2|1925|12|14|df=y}} | |||
| death_place = [[Kolkata]], India | |||
| fields = Archaeology | |||
| alma_mater = [[University of Paris]] | |||
| known_for = First woman Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) | |||
| notable_works = ''Konarak'' (1968)<br>''Buddhist Monuments'' (1971)<br>''Bronzes from Achutrajpur, Orissa'' (1978) | |||
| institutions = | |||
| awards = | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Debala Mitra''' (14 December 1925 &ndash; 2 December 2003) was an Indian [[archaeologist]] who served as Director General of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) from 1981 to 1983. She is the first woman archaeologist to head the ASI. She explored and excavated several Buddhist sites.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barik |first=Satyasundar |date=22 February 2025 |title=The relics of Ratnagiri |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/the-relics-of-ratnagiri/article69243446.ece |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |quote=Debala Mitra become the first woman director general of the ASI. Mitra was 33 when she reached the remote site (Ratnagiri). Over time, she gained the trust of the villagers and unearthed hidden Buddhist treasures.}}</ref> | |||
' | The historic site of Ratnagiri in Odisha's Jajpur district, first discovered in 1905, gained prominence following extensive excavations between 1958 and 1961 led by Mitra,<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 November 2024 |title=Excavation to start again at Ratnagiri this month |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/archaeological-excavation-resumes-at-historic-ratnagiri-buddhist-site/articleshow/115256338.cms |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |quote=The site gained prominence following extensive excavations between 1958 and 1961 led by ASI's Debala Mitra, which unveiled a remarkable Buddhist complex dating from 5th to 13th century AD.}}</ref> which unveiled a remarkable Buddhist complex dating from the 5th-13th century AD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sahu |first=Diana |date=16 February 2025 |title=Odisha's buddhist past makes itself present |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2025/Feb/16/odishas-buddhist-past-makes-itself-present |access-date=3 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Born on 14 December 1925 at [[Khulna]] in [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal Province]] (now [[Bangladesh]]), Mitra had her early education in Khulna and [[Calcutta]] before obtaining her [[doctorate]] in [[Paris]]. | Born on 14 December 1925 at [[Khulna]] in [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal Province]] (now [[Bangladesh]]), Mitra had her early education in Khulna and [[Calcutta]] (now [[Kolkata]]) before obtaining her [[doctorate]] in [[Paris]]. | ||
== In the ASI == | == In the ASI == | ||
Mitra joined the ASI in the 1940s and served as Superintendent of Eastern Circle and Additional Director General of the ASI before succeeding [[B. K. Thapar]] as Director General in 1981. | Mitra joined the ASI in the 1940s and served as Superintendent of Eastern Circle and Additional Director General of the ASI before succeeding [[B. K. Thapar]] as Director General in 1981. | ||
The first woman to excavate Buddhist sites, she was an authority on the art and archaeology of eastern India. Her books include ''Konarak'' (1968), ''Buddhist Monuments'' (1971) and ''Bronzes from Achutrajpur, Orissa'' (1978). | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
* {{cite journal|title=Obituary|journal= | == External links == | ||
* {{cite journal|title=Obituary|journal=Purātattva|year=2003|issue=33}} | |||
{{s-start}} | {{s-start}} | ||
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[[Category:1925 births]] | [[Category:1925 births]] | ||
[[Category:2005 deaths]] | [[Category:2005 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Directors | [[Category:Directors general of the Archaeological Survey of India]] | ||
[[Category:People from Khulna]] | [[Category:People from Khulna]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian historians]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian historians]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian archaeologists]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian archaeologists]] | ||
[[Category:Bengali historians]] | |||
[[Category:Indian women archaeologists]] | |||
[[Category:Women scientists from West Bengal]] | |||
[[Category:Government Coronation Secondary Girls' School alumni]] | |||
[[Category:Scientists from Khulna Division]] | |||
Revision as of 11:57, 6 February 2026
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2016) |
Debala Mitra | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 December 1925 |
| Died | 2 December 2003 (aged 77) Kolkata, India |
| Alma mater | University of Paris |
| Known for | First woman Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Archaeology |
Debala Mitra (14 December 1925 – 2 December 2003) was an Indian archaeologist who served as Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1981 to 1983. She is the first woman archaeologist to head the ASI. She explored and excavated several Buddhist sites.<ref>Barik, Satyasundar (22 February 2025). "The relics of Ratnagiri". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 March 2025. Debala Mitra become the first woman director general of the ASI. Mitra was 33 when she reached the remote site (Ratnagiri). Over time, she gained the trust of the villagers and unearthed hidden Buddhist treasures.
</ref>
The historic site of Ratnagiri in Odisha's Jajpur district, first discovered in 1905, gained prominence following extensive excavations between 1958 and 1961 led by Mitra,<ref>"Excavation to start again at Ratnagiri this month". The Times of India. 13 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 March 2025. The site gained prominence following extensive excavations between 1958 and 1961 led by ASI's Debala Mitra, which unveiled a remarkable Buddhist complex dating from 5th to 13th century AD.
</ref> which unveiled a remarkable Buddhist complex dating from the 5th-13th century AD.<ref>Sahu, Diana (16 February 2025). "Odisha's buddhist past makes itself present". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 March 2025.</ref>
Early life
Born on 14 December 1925 at Khulna in Bengal Province (now Bangladesh), Mitra had her early education in Khulna and Calcutta (now Kolkata) before obtaining her doctorate in Paris.
In the ASI
Mitra joined the ASI in the 1940s and served as Superintendent of Eastern Circle and Additional Director General of the ASI before succeeding B. K. Thapar as Director General in 1981. The first woman to excavate Buddhist sites, she was an authority on the art and archaeology of eastern India. Her books include Konarak (1968), Buddhist Monuments (1971) and Bronzes from Achutrajpur, Orissa (1978).
References
External links
- "Obituary". Purātattva (33). 2003.
| Preceded by B. K. Thapar |
Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India 1981 - 1983 |
Succeeded by M. S. Nagaraja Rao |