The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was founded
in the December 1861 as a result of a series of antiquarian, artistic and
architectural investigations since 1784, when the Asiatic Society was established
under Sir William Jones. The necessity
of an institution to survey and document, interpret and publish the data
pertaining to India’s ancient past was thus felt as early as the 19th
century. Sir Alexander Cunningham was
the first Archaeological Surveyor of ASI, who carried out a monumental survey
in the entire northern India tracing the route of the celebrated Chinese
pilgrim, Xuan Zang, and
discovered most of the prominent cities and other establishments and brought
them firmly on the archaeological map of India.
The ASI gradually grew as a pan-India organisation
under Sir John Marshall, whose endeavours culminated
in the promulgation of a separate act to protect and preserve our ancient
past. His period also saw the discovery
of Indus Valley Civilization, which pushed back our history to third millennium
BC. The excavations at Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Taxila, Sarnath, Sanchi, etc., by Sir
John Marshall are hallmarks of discovery and presentation of India’s past
before the people.
Subsequently, the organisation
grew enormously, particularly under Sir Mortimer Wheeler, who infused a
scientific basis on the investigation of our ancient past. He also introduced full-fledged conservation,
chemical preservation and horticulture wings in ASI which have contributed
enormously in various ways. Further, the
exhaustive field training imparted by Wheeler to Indian students paved a way
for them to take over the organisation, once the
British left. Some of the students
attained the position of Director General of ASI speaks of the methodical and
prolific nature of the training imparted by Wheller.
The ASI expanded enormously post-independence in
several ways. A novel approach of
surveying the entire country was devised under the “Village-to-Village Survey
of Antiquarian Remains” which enabled in extensive survey of remote corners of
India. This enabled in the discovery of
large number of sites of different periods, starting from the prehistoric to
medieval times. A monumental task of
salvaging the archaeological remains in the Nagarjunakonda
Valley was carried out successfully under the patronage of our first Prime
Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The
salvaged remains are still on display in an island museum. The surveys along the dry bed of River Ghaggar and Gujarat led to the discovery of a large number
of early, mature and late Harappan sites, the
hallmark among them are the sites of Dholavira, Lothal, Banawali and Rakhigarhi.
The ASI also expanded its activities in the
protection, conservation, preservation and environmental upgradation
of nationally protected monuments numbering 3677 in a major way. The reputation of this organisation
enabled its participation in conserving monuments in other countries like
Afghanistan, Cambodia, Laos, etc. The
Epigraphy branch of ASI contributed tirelessly in surveying site after site to
document and takes an impression of the inscriptions which led to the discovery
and copying of nearly 80,000 inscriptions in various languages and scripts.
The contribution of ASI and heritage preservation in
the modern era is more relevant as site after site is destroyed due to
indiscriminate and rapid urbanisation, lack of
knowledge on the necessity to preserve our past. The ASI is aiming at spreading the message of
protecting and preserving our past which can contribute in a major way towards
local tourism, employment opportunities of the locals and also infuse a sense
of pride among the mass of their rich heritage. After becoming an active member
of World Heritage Convention of UNESCO, India has so far 28 World Heritage
Properties inscribed with UNESCO out of which 19 are under ASI.
The major activities of the Archaeological Survey of
India are:
(i) Survey of
archaeological remains and excavations;
(ii) Maintenance and conservations of
centrally protected monuments, sites and remains
(iii) Chemical preservation of monuments
and antiquarian remains;
(iv) Architectural survey of
monuments;
(v) Development of epigraphical
research and numismatic studies;
(vi) Setting up and
re-organization of site museums;
(vii) Expeditions abroad;
(viii) Training in Archaeology;
(ix) Publication of technical study reports
and research works
There are 24 circles through which
the Archaeological Survey of India administers the work of preservation and
conservation of monuments under its protection. Recently, one Mini Circle was
set up with headquarter at Leh, for administrative convenience.
Besides, there are six excavation branches, two temple survey projects, one
building survey project, one prehistory branch, one science branch, two
Epigraphy branches (one for Arabic and Persian and the other for Sanskrit and
Dravidian) and one horticulture branch in the ASI
through which various research and other works in different fields are
undertaken.
The ASI celebrated its centennial year of its
founding in 1961 through a series of events like seminars / conferences,
exhibitions, film shows, commemorative stamps, etc. Special publications were also brought
out.
Keeping in view of the sesquicentennial year of the
founding of ASI in 2011, the ASI has planned a large number of activities in
order to highlight the necessity of heritage education and management in a
modern scenario, and would also urge the younger generation in the active
participation. The ASI has planned the
following activities.
(i)
Inaugural function in
the month of December, 2011 to initiate a yearlong events and functions
(ii)
Special Lecture of Lord
Colin Renfrew, renowned archaeologist in December, 2011
(iii)
Four international
conferences, viz.,
a. Archaeology
of Buddhism in South Asia
b. Early
Agro-Pastoral Cultures of South Asia
c. Harappan
Archaeology, and
d. Medieval
Architecture
(iv)
Release of
commemorative postal stamps, medals, philatelic exhibition on monuments, etc.
(v)
Special publications,
monographs, brochures and booklets
(vi)
Publication of ASI
Journal, Ancient India – A New Series
(vii) Upgradation
of 10 Archaeological Museums of ASI
(viii) Relocation
of Central Archaeological Collection (CAC) from its present location in Purana Qila to Red Fort
(ix)
Organising
a series of exhibitions, both at the national and regional levels
(x)
Documentaries on ASI
monuments and heritage
These celebrations will have a deeper
impact on the masses and the public in large to take notice of the relevance of
preserving our past. They can be urged
to help ASI and foster a relation with the monuments and sites in their
location for their better preservation and maintenance.
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