Archaeological Survey of India

Indian governmental body responsible for archaeological research and the maintenance, conservation and preservation of historical artefacts and architecture in the country. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was founded in 1861 under the colonial British government, originally as a limited survey of northern India under Alexander Cunningham. After being dissolved for a few years in 1866, it was reinstituted as a country-wide department in 1871 with Cunningham serving as its first Director-General. Today it operates under India’s Ministry of Culture, with its activities governed by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1958) and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act (1972). Its operations are undertaken by regional ‘circles’ headed by Superintending Archaeologists. These include fieldwork and surveys, excavations and documentation, heritage conservation and maintenance, and regulating access to and building around protected sites. The ASI also operates a number of archaeological site museums and organises public awareness programmes, and is responsible for the certification of antiquities.