Darwaish
Legendary archeologist, historian and linguist, Dr. Ahmad Hasan Dani has passed away in Islamabad today at age 89; born on June 20, 1920.
Among Pakistan’s most noted authority on South Asian History and Archeology, Dr. Dani was author of several books and received national and international recognition for his remarkable work. He was under treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad where he died today.Dani has left behind his wife, three sons Dr Anis Ahmad Dani (World Bank), Navaid Ahmad Dani (PTV), Junaid Ahmad Dani (Action Aid), daughter Fauzia Iqbal Butt, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
An erudite writer of history and an evergreen tree of knowledge, Dr Ahmad Hasan Dani spent his entire life to establish a better world by providing his study of history, an attribute which made him an extraordinary scholar, at home and abroad.
Ahmad Hasan Dani was a key figure in setting up of several museums in Pakistan and his vast publications have set the pace for future course of action in this vital field in the country. Late Dr. Dani had been extensively engaged in excavation works on the pre-Indus Civilization site of Rehman Dheri. He also made a number of discoveries of Gandhara sites in Peshawar and Swat Valleys, and worked on Indo-Greek sites in Dir.
From 1985, he was involved in research focusing on the documentation of the rock carvings and inscriptions on ancient remains from the Neolithic age in the high mountain region of Northern Pakistan along with Harald Hauptmann of Heidelberg Academy of Sciences, University of Heidelberg. In 1990–91, he led the UNESCO international scientific teams for the Desert Route Expedition of the Silk Road in China and the Steppe Route Expedition of the Silk Road in the Soviet Union.
He was Emeritus Professor at the Quaid-e-Azam University and the director of Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations. Throughout his career, Dani held various academic positions and international fellowships, apart from conducting archaeological excavations and research. As a prolific linguist, he spoke more than 14 local and international languages and dialects (French, Turkish, Persian, Bangla, Pushto, Hindi, Marathi, Kashmiri, Tamil, Punjabi, Sindhi, Seraiki, Broshiski and Karoshti – apart from English and Urdu).
He was also the recipient of various civil awards in Pakistan and abroad, some of which are:
Professor Dr. Ahmad Hasan Dani’s national and international Awards:
- 2000 Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Government of Pakistan
- 1998 Légion d’honneur, President of the French Republic
- 1997 Aristotle Silver Medal, UNESCO
- 1996 Order of the Merit, Government of Germany
- 1994 Knight Commander, Government of Italy
- 1992 Aizaz-e-Kamal, Government of Pakistan
- 1990 Palmes Academiques, Government of France
- 1986 Gold Medal, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
- 1969 Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Government of Pakistan
- 1944 Gold Medal, Banaras Hindu University (the first ever Muslim student there. He broke the 25-year-old record of achieving the highest mark in MA, becoming the first Muslim gold medalist in the University’s history)
A loss but that is how life is – he laid the foundation and the next generation has to continue building on it.
Just few memories to share – Archeology Department at Peshawar University consisted of a room and a half and we often wondered what went on in there with a sleepy shared peon/secretary and two faculty members… The department was very often locked as “entire staff” went on extended field trips that Prof. Dani has written in his publications.
Prof Dani was often mistaken as an Englishman because of his complexions but looked like a Pathan whenever he dressed in traditional attire and Chitrali cap… May he rest in peace.
Dr Dani was a great man with great achievements. I hope his life is celebrated and remembered as an inspiration for coming generations. Lets be optimistic and work towards making our children educated, knowledgable and hope that many of them will become brilliant like Dani sahab. Lets continue to hope that Pakistan will produce and nurture many more Ahmed Hasan Danis. May he be in a better place -aameen.
after all we can only say…
May his soul rest in peace.
shaher mein ek chiragh tha na raha.
It is the most saddest news in the prevailing gloom and despondency. Indeed he was one of those towering personalities who brought recognition to Pakistan. May his soul rest in peace
Rest in Peace Dani Sahib, along with Ashfaq Ahmed,Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi,Mustansar Tarar and many others…. he was a elder of pakistan (a role model), Dani sahib started the term cultural tourism in pakistan, he used to bring all western diplomats to see pakistani heritage,
my post on cultural tourism was inspiration from his work
http://dilnawazinqalabi.blogspot.com/2007/01/peace -tourism.html