ASI

ASI role in tourism

1. In 1861 Alexander Cunningham was appointed by the British, India Govt. as the Archeological surveyor to the monuments of North India. Within a short span of five years, Cunningham succeeded in covering vast areas from Gaya in the east to the Indus to the North- West and reported on every monuments and historical sites visited by him. In 1870, Cunningham made the Director General of the ASI. He made the discovery of great many Buddhist sites in central India. With the arrival of Viceroy Lord Curzon, a new intellectual movement set in motion. A scientific beginning was made for the preservation of the monument of India Early ASI

2. The  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI. Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. About …….

3. It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972. For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance the entire country is divided into 24 Circles. The organization has a large work force of trained archaeologists, conservators, epigraphist and scientists for conducting archaeological research projects through its Circles, Museums, There are 6 Excavation Branches as follows: Prehistory Branch, Epigraphy Branches, Science Branch, Horticulture Branch, Building Survey Project, Temple Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology Wing.

4. There are at present more than 3650 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance. These monuments belong to different periods, ranging from the prehistoric period to the colonial period and are located in different geographical settings. They include temples, mosques, tombs, churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, and secular architecture as well as ancient mounds and sites which represent the remains of ancient habitation.  These monuments and sites are maintained and preserved through various Circles of the ASI spread all over the country. The Circles look after the research on these monuments and conservation activities, while the Science Branch with its headquarters at Dehradun carries out chemical preservation and the Horticulture Branch with its headquarters at Agra is entrusted with the laying out gardens and environmental development.

5. Activities ASI  is a large organization with an organized work force at the base and the Director General at the apex. Its major activities inter-alia are as under :-    Conducting archaeological explorations and excavations; Maintenance, conservation and preservation of protected monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance; Chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains;   Architectural survey of monuments; Epigraphical and numismatic studies;   Setting up and re-organization of Site Museums;   Activities ASI 

6. Training in Archaeology;   Bringing out archaeological publications;   Archaeological expeditions outside India ;   Horticulture operation in and around ancient monuments and sites. Implementation and regulation of - The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958;   The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, etc.

7. The Circles carry out archaeological fieldwork, research activities and implement the various provisions of the AMASR (Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains) Act, 1958 and Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972. This may include the following: For the administrative convenience the entire country is divided into 24 Circles. Each Circle is headed by a Superintending Archaeologist (S.A.), who is further assisted by Deputy Superintending Archaeologist ( Dy.S.A .), Deputy Superintending Archaeological Engineer ( Dy.S.A.E .), Assistant Superintending Archaeologist (A.S.A.), Assistant Superintending Archaeological Engineer (A.S.A.E.), Assistant Archaeologists (A.A.) and Conservation Assistants ASI Circles

8. Agra (UP) Aurangabad (MH) Bangalore(KA) Bhopal (MP) Bhubaneswar ( Odissa ) Chandigarh (Punjab and Haryana) Chennai (TN) Dehradun ( UK) Delhi Dharwad (KA) Goa Guwahati (Assam) Hyderabad Jaipur Jodhpur Kolkata ( West Bengal) Lucknow (UP) Mumbai Nagpur (MH) Patna (Bihar) Raipur ( Chhattisgarh) Ranchi ( Jharkhand)   Sarnath (UP) Shimla (HP) Srinagar (J & K) Thrissur ( Kerala) Vadodara ( Gujurat ) List of ASI Circles Mini Circle Leh , Laddakh ( J & K) Hampi

9. Carrying out village-to-village survey of antiquarian remains; exploration of archaeological sites, documentation of loose sculptures; Excavation of archaeological sites; Conservation and day-to-day maintenance of protected monuments; Providing basic amenities at the monuments for tourists; Issuing of NOC for any sort of construction, additions and alterations to existing structures or new constructions coming under 100 m to 300 m (regulated area) from the protected monuments; Issuing permission for filming, photography and cultural programmes at the protected monuments; Organising public awareness programmes on various occasions like Word Heritage Day (April 18), World Heritage Week (November 17-25), Museum Day (May 18) and other important occasions; Registration of antiquities and issuing non-antiquity certificates; Interaction with various universities and research institutions. Wing. Activities of ASI Circle

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