The correct option is V.S. Wakankar.
Explanation
The Bhimbetka rock shelters, located in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They represent one of the earliest traces of human life in the Indian subcontinent, featuring rock paintings that span from the Paleolithic to the Medieval periods.
Option Analysis:
- V.S. Wakankar is Correct: Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar (V.S. Wakankar), an eminent Indian archaeologist, discovered the Bhimbetka rock shelters in 1957. He identified the rock formations while traveling by train and subsequently explored the area to uncover the prehistoric art.
- Archibold Carlleyle is Incorrect: Archibald Carlleyle is credited with the first discovery of rock paintings in India at Sohagi Ghat in the Kaimur Hills (Mirzapur District) in 1867, but he is not associated with Bhimbetka.
- Alexander Cunningham is Incorrect: Sir Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He is known as the father of Indian archaeology for his extensive surveys, but he did not discover Bhimbetka.
- R.D. Banerji is Incorrect: R.D. Banerji (Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay) is famous for the discovery of Mohenjo-daro in 1922, a key site of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Key Takeaway: V.S. Wakankar is the archaeologist credited with the discovery of the Bhimbetka rock shelters in 1957, a pivotal find for understanding the Stone Age in India.