The Archaeological Survey of India is a government institution established in 1861 and is responsible for organising archaeological research, offering protection and maintenance to cultural and historical sites. The ASI is also responsible for conducting various excavations and hosting and supporting museums, conservations, and epigraphical studies. There are various departments under the ASI that look into various parts of historical and archaeological research. All archaeological surveys in India are conducted under the aegis of the ASI. The ASI is a premier institution and itself has historical importance in the country being constructed at the juncture of emerging discourses and colonial investigations into India’s past. 

Archaeological Survey of India

It carries out state-mandated activities under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and manages the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act of 1972. It has several important offices such as Excavation Branches, Prehistory Branch, Science Branch, Underwater Archaeology Wing, Epigraphical Studies and Branches, Architectural Survey Projects, Horticulture Branch, Institute of Archaeology, Central Archaeological Library, and Central Antiquity Collection. The ASI has divided India into 37 Circles or zones for the preservation and conservation of historical and heritage sites. The Circles are responsible for conducting surveys and gathering information on the different archaeological surveys in India. The responsibilities of the Circles of ASI are:

• Interacting with other research institutions and universities
• Registration of antiquities
• Increasing and organising events on raising public awareness
• Carrying excavations of archaeological surveys in India
• Issuing permission for filming and documentation
• Educating tourists

First Archaeological Survey in India

The first Archaeological Survey in India was the discovery of the inscription Nigali Sagar in 1895. There were other subsequent discoveries in the subsequent years after its establishment in 1861. Notable among them was the discovery of the inscription of the Lumbini Pillar of Ashoka in 1896. It was under the rulership of Lord Curzon that ASI made substantial discoveries and carried out notable surveys. Under the Director-General John Marshall, the discovery of Indus Valley Civilisation was made. The discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro in 1921 marked a very important chapter in the history of archaeological surveys in India. Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni was the archaeologist who headed the excavation campaign between 1921-and 22. 

History of Archaeological Survey

More than 3000 archaeological surveys are the answer to how many archaeological surveys are conducted in India. The exact number at present time is 3650. The ASI conducts these surveys according to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR) Act of 1958. Mortimer Wheeler, the Director-General during the time of 1944 to 1948, founded the Ancient India journal in 1948. He was also responsible for carrying out the surveys that would lead to the discovery of Arikamedu, Chandravalli, Maski, and Brahmagiri. N.P. Chakravarti was the next Director-General of ASI after the independence and partition of India in 1948. The first museum in the country was established in Calcutta in 1814.

Current Information on Archaeological Surveys

At present, the Director-General is V. Vidyavathi. The ASI presently maintains museums close to the historical sites and their inventories. There is ASI – supported museums in Agra, Ajmer, Sarnath, Bijapur, Delhi Fort, Sanchi, and Nalanda. Dholavira has been named on the 40th Indian UNESCO list of World Heritage on July 27th, 2021. 

Conclusion

At the moment there are 981 sites recorded on the World Heritage List. India is an active member of UNESCO  since 1977. There are 32 sites in India that have been declared as the World Heritage Properties. 7 of them are natural properties with 25 being Cultural Properties. The ASI has declared 3692 monuments as nationally important sites. Adarsh Smarak Phase I is the name given to 25 of them while 75 more are termed Adarsh Monuments Phase II.