Debala Mitra


Debala Mitra was an Indian archaeologist who served as Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1981 to 1983. She is the first woman archaeologist to head the ASI.

Early life

Born on 14 December 1925 at Khulna in Bengal Province, Mitra had her early education in Khulna and Calcutta 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.