Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI ) is a division of India's Ministry of Culture, which is responsible for archaeological research and preservation of the cultural heritage of India. The ASI is the successor of the Asiatic Society, which was founded in 1784 by British archaeologist William Jones. 1788, the journal The Asiatic Researches was published for the first time. 1814 the first museum was established in Bengal. The ASI in its present form was founded in 1861 during the British colonial administration by Alexander Cunningham in collaboration with Viceroy Canning. At the time, Afghanistan was still in its area of responsibility.
After Indian independence declaration, the ASI was incorporated under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites And Remains Act, 1958 in the government work. Under the Antiquity and Art Treasure Act 1972 are maintained by the ASI currently 3636 sites of national importance. The ASI has to face in 1947 primarily political problems since the partition of the Indian subcontinent with the departure of the British. For example, only partially or not at all be explored many archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization.