1) In 1861, Alexander Cunningham was appointed as the first Archaeological Surveyor of India to survey and document historic sites across northern India. 2) The Archaeological Survey of India was established under the British Raj to scientifically preserve historic monuments, and continues to be responsible for archaeological research and protection of cultural heritage sites. 3) The ASI is divided into 24 regional Circles to maintain over 3,650 ancient monuments and archaeological sites across various time periods and locations in India.

2.  In 1861 Alexander Cunningham was appointed by the
British, India Govt. as the Archeological surveyor to the
monuments of North India. Within a short span of five
years, Cunningham succeeded in covering vast areas from
Gaya in the east to the Indus to the North- West and
reported on every monuments and historical sites visited
by him. In 1870, Cunningham made the Director General
of the ASI. He made the discovery of great many
Buddhist sites in central India.
 With the arrival of Viceroy Lord Curzon, a new
intellectual movement set in motion. A scientific
beginning was made for the preservation of the
monument of India

3.  The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the
Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the
archaeological researches and protection of the cultural
heritage of the nation. Maintenance of ancient
monuments and archaeological sites and remains of
national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.
Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the
country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments
and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

4.  It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972. For the
maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites
and remains of national importance the entire country is
divided into 24 Circles. The organization has a large work force
of trained archaeologists, conservators, epigraphist and
scientists for conducting archaeological research projects
through its Circles, Museums, There are 6 Excavation Branches
as follows:
 Prehistory Branch,
 Epigraphy Branches,
 Science Branch,
 Horticulture Branch,
 Building Survey Project,
 Temple Survey Projects and
 Underwater Archaeology Wing.

5.  There are at present more than 3650 ancient monuments and
archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
These monuments belong to different periods, ranging from
the prehistoric period to the colonial period and are located in
different geographical settings. They include temples,
mosques, tombs, churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-
wells, rock-cut caves, and secular architecture as well as
ancient mounds and sites which represent the remains of
ancient habitation.
These monuments and sites are maintained and preserved
through various Circles of the ASI spread all over the country.
The Circles look after the research on these monuments and
conservation activities, while the Science Branch with its
headquarters at Dehradun carries out chemical preservation
and the Horticulture Branch with its headquarters at Agra is
entrusted with the laying out gardens and environmental
development.

6. Activities ASI is a large organization with an organized
work force at the base and the Director General at the apex.
Its major activities inter-alia are as under :-
 Conducting archaeological explorations and excavations;
 Maintenance, conservation and preservation of
protected monuments and archaeological sites and
remains of national importance;
 Chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian
remains;
 Architectural survey of monuments;
 Epigraphical and numismatic studies;
 Setting up and re-organization of Site Museums;

7.  Training in Archaeology;
 Bringing out archaeological publications;
 Archaeological expeditions outside India ;
 Horticulture operation in and around ancient
monuments and sites.
 Implementation and regulation of - The Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,
1958;
 The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, etc.

8.  The Circles carry out archaeological fieldwork, research
activities and implement the various provisions of the
AMASR (Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and
Remains) Act, 1958 and Antiquities and Art Treasures Act
1972. This may include the following:
 For the administrative convenience the entire country is
divided into 24 Circles. Each Circle is headed by a
Superintending Archaeologist (S.A.), who is further
assisted by Deputy Superintending Archaeologist
(Dy.S.A.), Deputy Superintending Archaeological
Engineer (Dy.S.A.E.), Assistant Superintending
Archaeologist (A.S.A.), Assistant Superintending
Archaeological Engineer (A.S.A.E.), Assistant
Archaeologists (A.A.) and Conservation Assistants

9.  Agra (UP)
 Aurangabad (MH)
 Bangalore(KA)
 Bhopal (MP)
 Bhubaneswar
(Odissa)
 Chandigarh
(Punjab and
Haryana)
 Chennai (TN)
 Dehradun ( UK)
 Delhi
 Dharwad (KA)
 Goa
 Guwahati (Assam)
 Hyderabad
 Jaipur
 Jodhpur
 Kolkata (West
Bengal)
 Lucknow (UP)
 Mumbai
 Nagpur (MH)
 Patna (Bihar)
 Raipur
(Chhattisgarh)
 Ranchi
(Jharkhand)
 Sarnath (UP)
 Shimla (HP)
 Srinagar (J & K)
 Thrissur (Kerala)
 Vadodara (Gujurat)
Mini Circle
•Leh, Laddakh
( J & K)
•Hampi

11.  Carrying out village-to-village survey of antiquarian remains;
exploration of archaeological sites, documentation of loose
sculptures;
 Excavation of archaeological sites;
 Conservation and day-to-day maintenance of protected monuments;
 Providing basic amenities at the monuments for tourists;
 Issuing of NOC for any sort of construction, additions and
alterations to existing structures or new constructions coming under
100 m to 300 m (regulated area) from the protected monuments;
 Issuing permission for filming, photography and cultural
programmes at the protected monuments;
 Organising public awareness programmes on various occasions like
Word Heritage Day (April 18), World Heritage Week (November 17-
25), Museum Day (May 18) and other important occasions;
 Registration of antiquities and issuing non-antiquity certificates;
 Interaction with various universities and research institutions. Wing.