Background
Rakesh was born on 2 October in 1953 in Biswan, Uttar Pradesh, India. The son of Mahesh Datta and Krishna Tewari.
archaeologist director general
Rakesh was born on 2 October in 1953 in Biswan, Uttar Pradesh, India. The son of Mahesh Datta and Krishna Tewari.
Bachelor in Ancient Indian History, Lucknow University, India, 1973. Master of Arts in Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, 1975. Doctor of Philosophy, Ram Manohar Lohia University, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, 1985.
Exploration assistant U.P. State Archaeological Organization, Lucknow, 1978—1980; regional archaeological officer Garhwal and Kumon 1980—1983; excavation & exploration officer, 1983—1989; director, U.P. State Archaeology Department 1989-2013; U.P. Museum & State Museum, Lucknow, 2009 - --- , director (additional charge), 2008—2009, State Archives, Lucknow, 1989—1994, State Museum, Lucknow, 1997—1998, State Archives, Lucknow, 1989—1994, Jaina Vidya Shodha Sansthan, Lucknow, 1997—2001. Founder, editor annual journal Pragdhara, since 1990; DIRECTOR GENERAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA - 2014-2017.
Achievements include discovery of early antiquity of iron technology in Ganga valley in early 2nd millennium British Columbia. Discovery of evidence of contacts between Harappan and Ganga Plain cultures in 3rd millennium British Columbia, cultivation of rice in early Holocene period in Ganga plain. Discovery of painted rock shelters in north Vindhyas, Uttar Pradesh.
Member of Indian Archaeol. Society, Rock Art Society India, Australian Rock Art Research Association, Society South Asian Archaeologists, Indian Society Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies (executive committee since 2004).
Rakesh married to Meena Shukla on 2 December in 1984. They have two children: Archit and Parul.
