The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 when Alexander Cunningham was appointed as the first Archaeological Surveyor of India. Within five years, Cunningham had surveyed many historical sites across northern India. In 1870, he became the Director General of the ASI. The ASI is now responsible for archaeological research and protection of over 3,650 ancient monuments and sites of national importance across India. It regulates archaeological activities and maintains important heritage sites to preserve India's cultural history.

1. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF
INDIA

2. In 1861 Alexander Cunningham was appointed by the British, India Govt. as the Archeological surveyor to
the monuments of North. 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.
• The archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for
the archeological researches and the protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
• Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of the 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.
• ASI as an attached office under the department of culture, misniter of tourism and culture, is the
premier organization for the archeological researches and protection of the Ancient Monuments and
Archeological Sites and remains Act,1958.
• It also regulates Antiquities and art treasure act, 1972.
• For the maintenenance of ancient monuments and archeological sites and remains of national
importance the entire country is divided into circles 24.

3. It defines archeological site and remains as, any area which contains or is reasonably
believed to contain ruins or relics of historical or archaeological importance which have
been in existence for not less than one hundred years, and includes.
Functions and Powers
 Archeological survey of India is an attached office of department of culture with headquator in New
Delhi.
 It has 24 regional circles and 5 regional directorates.
 Its main functions are:
 Preservation, conservation and environmental department of centrally protected monuments and sites,
including World Heritage Monuments.
 Maintenance of gardens and development of new gardens surrounding centrally protected monuments
and sites.
 Specialized study of inscription and various phases of Indian architecture
 Maintenance of the Archeological site museums
 Research and training in different areas of Archealogical ASI is the successor of the Asiatic society of
India.

4. Monuments
• The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) under the provisions of the act, 1958 protects monuments, sites
and remains of national importance by giving a two- months notice for inviting objectives, if any in this
regard.
• After the specifies two-months period, and after the objections, if any received in this regard, the ASI
makes decision to bring a monument under its protection.
• There are at present more than 3650 ancient monuments and archeological 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 includes temples, mosques, tombs, churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock cut caves
and secular architecture as well as ancient habitation.
• These monuments and sites are maintained and preserved through various Circles of the 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 head-quarters at Agra is entrusted with the laying gardens and environmental
development.

5. Dehradun Circle

6. Bhaja Caves, Maharashtra

7. Nalanda Stupa, Bhiar

8. Shore, Temple Tamil Nadu

9. Qutab Minar, Delhi

10. Virupaksha Temlpe, Karnataka

11. Taj Mahal ,Agra

12. Others Monuments
• Vitthala temple, Hampi
• Ajanta Caves
• Red fort, Delhi
• Rani ki vav New Delhi
• Brihadeshwara Temple
• Humayun’s Tomb
• Elephanta Caves
• Fatehpur Sikri
• Arjuna’s penance Mahabalipuram
• Kirti Stambh
• Vishnu Temple, Hampi
• Akbar Tomb

13. STRUCTURAL CONSERVATION
It conserved the structure way back in early historic period as
evidence at Junagarh, Gujrat.
The early attempts to give a legal framework for preventing
vandalism were the 2 legislations namely the Bangal Regulations of
1810 and Madras regulation of 1817.
The conservation work of Stupas of Sanch earlier lying in a maze of
ruins gave the sites its pristine looks.
The monuments and sites that received nominal funds and attention
way back in 19th century was Taj Mahal, Tomb at Sikander, Qutab
Minar, Sanchi and Mathura which based on the proposal submitted
in 1898.

14. CHEMICAL PRESERVATION
The Archaeological Survey of India’s Science Branch is responsible
mainly for the chemical conservation treatment and preservation of
some 3593 protected monuments besides chemical preservation of
museum and excavated objects countrywide.
Objective-
• Immaterial deterioration process
• Basic studies of intervention technologies
• Basic studies on materials
• Diagnostic technologies

16. TAJ MAHAL WHEEL OF KONARK SUN TEMPLE

17. • Agra
• Aurangabad
• Bangalore
• Bhopal
• Bhudaneswar
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Dehradun
• Delhi
• Dharwad
• Goa
• Guwahati
• Hyderabad
• Jaipur
• Jodhpur
• Kolkata
• Lucknow
• Mumbai
• Nagpur
• Patna
• Raipur
• Ranchi
• Sarnatht
• Shimla
• Shri Nagar
• Threissur
• Vododara
• Leh,Laddakh
• Hampi
Departments

18. THANKYOU