M.N. Deshpande

M.N. Deshpande (Madhusudan Narhar Deshpande, 1920–2008) was a distinguished Indian archaeologist, art historian, and conservator. He served as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1972 to 1978, having joined the organization in 1946 and trained under Sir Mortimer Wheeler at Taxila. Deshpande specialized in cave architecture and the Buddhist caves of Ajanta, Ellora, and Pitalkhora. He was responsible for editing volumes of 'Indian Archaeology: A Review', including 'Indian Archaeology - 1971-72 A Review' and 'Indian Archaeology 1970-71 A Review', which document significant archaeological activities across India.