Archaeological Survey of India

The Archaeological Survey of India is close associate with the office of the Ministry of Culture of India. It is constituted under the provisions of the AMASR Act of 1958 and the ASI administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. These can include everything from temples, mosques, churches, tombs, and cemeteries to palaces, forts, step-wells, and rock-cut caves. The Survey also maintains ancient mounds and other similar sites which represent the remains of ancient habitation. It was established in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.

ESTABLISHMENT

It was established in 1861 headed by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General of India.The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, was established in the year 1861 is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. Anyone can get detailed information related to excavations, conservations, museums, epigraphical studies, etc. The Archaeological Survey of India, headed by its Director General and office (head quarter) at Archaeological Survey of India ,Dharohar Bhawan ,24 Tilak Marg, New Delhi.

After recording vigorous growth in the numbers of tigers in the 2018 census, India recorded yet another achievement by entering the Guinness Book of World Record for conducting what has been referred to as the “largest camera trap wildlife survey”.

FUNCTION AND ACHIVEMENT

The function of Archaeological Survey of India is to explore, excavate, conserve, preserve and protect the monuments, ancient stone statue, ancient buildings and temple and make research on that for the interest of nation and for the sake of National & International Importance.

Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958

Marshall established the post of Government epigraphist and confident epigraphically studies. The most significant event of his tenure was the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization at Harappa and Mohenjodaro in 1921. The success and scale of the discoveries made ensured that the rests made in Marshall's tenure would remain unmatched.

Another importance achievement is that the discovery of Lumbini pillar inscription, a major inscription on a pillar of Ashoka discovered by Alois Anton which was made in 1896. The inscription, together with other evidence, confirmed Lumbini as the birthplace of the Buddha.

Ancient temple underwater in the river of Mahanadi in State of Odisha, District of Nayagarh on 17 Jun 2020. An ancient temple in Odisha's Nayagarh, that was underwater in Mahanadi river has resurfaced. The temple is believed to be around 450 to 500 years old had submerged during a flood in 1933.

one of the achievement of Archaeological Survey of India is sun temple. know more: https://conceptofculture.blogspot.com/2020/08/sun-temple.html

India's first museum was established by the Asiatic Society in Calcutta in 1814. Much of its collection was passed on to the Indian Museum, which was established in the city in 1866. The Archaeological Survey did not maintain its own museums until the tenure of its third director-general, John Marshall. He initiated the establishment of various museums at Sarnath , Agra , Ajmer , Delhi Fort , Bijapur , Nalanda and Sanchi . The ASI's museums are customarily located right next to the sites that their inventories are associated with, so that they may be studied amid their natural surroundings and not lose focus by being transported. The Science Branch, a part of the Archaeological Survey of India, is responsible mainly for the chemical conservation treatment and preservation / protection of some three thousand five hundred ninety three Protected monuments besides chemical preservation of museum and excavated objects all over India.

After independence the Archaeological Survey of India, State Departments of Archaeology, Universities and other research organizations have conducted archaeological excavations in different parts of the country Adichchannallur, Tirunelveli Thrissur Circle of Archaeological Survey of India was established in April 1997 after separated from Chennai Circle with the Monuments Sites / ancient culture in Kerala and adjoining Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Nilgiri in districts of Tamilnadu. There are totally 28 monuments and 9 sites protected under the purview of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules 1959 are under the administrative control of the Circle. Most of this monuments and sites were under the protection of erstwhile states of Cochin and Travancore. The megalithic rock cut cave at Chowannur is situated about 3km northeast of the town of Kunnamkulam, district Thrissur. It is entered through a recessed opening on the east. The other sides of its chamber are circular and its vault hemispherical. On its northern and southern sides are two benches and there are five circular blocks along the western side of the chamber, which appear to be intended as stands for vessels. The site is a centrally protected monument under the control of Archaeological Survey of India since 1951 .

STAFF AND OFFICE

In 1892, Edward Buck announced that the Archaeological Survey of India would be shut down and all ASI staff would be dismissed by 1895, in order to generate savings for the Government's budget. It was understood that only a fantastic archaeological discovery within the next three years for example might be able to turn public opinion and save the funding of the ASI.

Apart from the ASI, archaeological work in India and conservation of monuments is also carried out in some states by state government archaeological departments. Most of these bodies were set up by the various princely states before independence. When these states were annexed to India after independence, the individual archaeological departments of these states were not integrated with the ASI. Instead, they were allowed to function as independent bodies. It has 24 state Circles and 5 Regional Directorates.

The Archaeological Survey of India is the principal recruiter of archaeologists at both central level and state level. The candidates who can apply of the said post should be qualification of some following course and thereafter qualifying the entrance examination conducted by Central government through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and at state level through State Public Service Commission (SPSC).

COURSES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL

There are many Archaeological college in india who are offering various courses following course are important.

Name of the Course	Type of Course	Duration
Certificate Course in Epigraphy	Certificate Course	1 year
Advanced Diploma in Epigraphy	Diploma Course	1 year
Diploma in Architecture	Diploma Course	3 years
Certificate in Archaeology	Certificate Course	1 year
Certificate Course in Architecture and Sculpture	Certificate Course	1 year
B.A. in Culture and Archaeology	Undergraduate Degree Course	3 years
B.A. in Music and Archaeology	Undergraduate Degree Course	3 years
B.A. in Ancient Indian History and Archaeology	Undergraduate Degree Course	3 years
M.A. in History and Archaeology	Postgraduate Degree Course	2 years
M.A. in Archaeology	Postgraduate Degree Course	2 years
Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology	Postgraduate Diploma Course	1 year

Due to The Archaeological Survey of India many places are discovered and now days those places are famous and open for public purpose like TajMahan in Agra, Sun Temple at konark, ellora caves, Famous for its sculptural extravagance, the temple is situated on the bank of the river Karamana, Mysore Place and many more..