Archaeological Survey of India
March 3, 2008 by Arun Pal Singh
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The Archaeological Survey of India was established in 1861. it functions as an attached office of the Department of Culture. The organization is headed by the Director General.
The major activities of the Archaeological Survey of India are:
1 Survey of Archaeological remains and excavation
2 Maintenance and conservation of centrally protected monuments, sites and remains
3 Chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains
4 Architectural survey of monuments
5 Development of epigraphical research and numismatic studies;
6 Setting up and re-organisation of site museums
7 Expedition abroad;
8 Training in Archaeology
9 Publication of technical report and research works.
There are 21 Circles and 3 Mini-Circles through which the Archaeological Survey of India administer the work of preservation and conservation of monuments under its protection.
Under the Ancient monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the ASI has declared three thousand six hundred and fifty six monuments/ sites to be of national importance in the country which includes twenty one properties that are inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Since its establishment one hundred and forty four years ago, the ASI has grown into a large organization with an all India network of offices, branches and circles. Eight monuments/sites have been declared protected during the year 2004-2005.
Three sites, namely, Champaner – Pavagarh Archaeological Park in Gujrat, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) Station in Mumbai and the Brihadisvara temple complex, Gangakondacholapuram and the Airavatesvaira temple complex, Darasuram as an extension to the Brihadisvara temple complex, Thanjavur (now commonly called as the Great Living Chola Temples) have been inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Nomination dossiers for the following sites have been sent to the World Heritage Centre for inscription on the World Heritage List of UNESCO:
- Shri Harminder Sahib (Golden Temple) at Amritsar, Punjab
- Majuli Island in Mid-Stream of river Brahmaputra in Assam
- Valley of Flowers as an extension to the Nanda Devi National Park in Uttaranchal
- Red Fort, Delhi (a deferred nomination)
The total number of individual structures being maintained by the ASI is over five thousand. During 2004-05, more than six hundred and seventy eight monuments were taken up for conservation and structural repairs, chemical preservation and environmental development besides day-to-day maintenance of three thousand six hundred fifty six monuments.
The ASI carried out excavations at the following important sites during field season 2004-05.
Thanesar, District Kuruksheta, Haryana; Bhirrana, District Fetehabad, Haryana; Hansi, District Hissar, Haryana; Baror, District Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Tarkhanwala; District Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Chak 86, District Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Dholavira, District Kachchh, Gujarat; Juni Kuran, District Kachchh, Gujarat; Adichanallur, District Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu; Tughlaqabad, Delhi; Daulatabad Fort, District Aurangabad Maharashtra; Baisgazi (Ancient Gaur) District Maldah, West Bengal; Pattadakal, District Bagalkot (Karnataka).
Underwater Archaeology Wing
Search, study and preservation of cultural heritage lying submerged in inland or territorial waters are among the principal functions of the underwater Archaeology Wing. It carries out exploration and excavation in Arabian Sea as well as in Bay of Bengal.
Science Branch
The Science Branch of the Survey with its headquarters at Dehradun and field laboratories in different parts of the country carries out chemical preservation of monuments, antiquities, manuscripts, paintings, etc.
Laboratories of Science Branch at Dehradun have undertaken the following Scientific Projects:
1 Evaluation of new materials as preservative coatings and strengthener for stone, terracotta, bricks and adobe structures;
2 Scientific studies related to conservation of ancient lime plaster;
3 Evaluation of physical characteristics of plaster cement with addition of rapid hardening plaster cement in different proportions.
Horticulture Branch
The Horticulture Branch of the ASI maintains gardens in about two hundred and eighty seven centrally protected monuments/ sites located in different parts of the country. The branch provides periodic plants to be used in gardens by developing base nurseries at Delhi, Agra, Srirangapatna and Bhubaneswar.
Epigraphy Branch
The Epigraphy Branch at Mysore carries out research work in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages while the one at Nagpur carries out research work in Arabic and Persian.
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Tags: Archaeological, Archaeology, epigraphy branch, golden tample, horticulture branch, seicne branch, underwater Archaeology
ASI is the best agency in the conservation of the rich heritage of India.Monuments are many but the staff and resources are deficient.By the appointment of Director Conservation of Conservation Architect is positive step.
Another area which needs attention is the opening of a wing under which conservation Planner should be appointed so that a very useful but so far neglected area may get consideration and ie Historic Towns Heritage ares/zones.
Hope it will be given consideration as not even a single historic town out of more than 3000 has got attention in the world heritage list.
Let us do something.
My services are at your disposal.
Coservation Planner.
hi,
got intersted in your comment Mr Singh. Just wanted to know more about what you had written about the heritage towns. can you please contact me on my e-mail so that i can be more specific with my questions.
I am a journalist working with a prestigious national daily.
thanks