Archaeological Survey of India Museum

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Sight Address : Archaeological Survey of India Museum, Mumbai.Edit

Detail InformationEdit

The Archaeological Survey of India performs the work of exploring, excavating, conserving, preserving and protecting the sites and monuments of national and international significance in the country and hence is categorized under the Department of Culture. It is an Indian government agency that is basically a section of the Asiatic Society of the British and founded by the famous archaeologist Sir William Jones on 15th January 1784. This Asiatic Society started to publish a journal called The Asiatic Researches from 1788 and Sir Alexander Cunningham handled the Society for about 14 years along with the assistance of the then Viceroy Canning. After India became independent, the Society was regarded under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958. Currently, this Survey considers about 3636 monuments that have been announced to be of national importance and are regarded as per the Antiquity and Art Treasure Act 1972.

HistoryEdit

Archaeological and historical pursuits in India started with the efforts of Sir William Jones, who put together a group of antiquarians to form the Asiatic Society on 15th January 1784 in Calcuta. The efforts put by Jones had a long backing, of enthusiasts and dilettantes like Tavernier, Finch and Bernier, Thevenot, Careri, Fryer, Ovington, Hamilton, Anquetil du Perron, Joseph Tieffenthaler, William Chamber, to name a few, who carried out survey of monuments in various parts of India, earlier.This endeavour put forward by Jones culminated in the publication of a periodical journal named, Asiatick Researches started in 1788. The journal brought to light the researches, surveys carried out by the society to make the public aware of the antiquarian wealth of India . The continuing fieldwork soon brought to light many antiquities and other remains which were later housed in a museum in 1814. Later, similar societies were started at Bombay (Mumbai) in 1804 and at Madras (Chennai) in 1818.The identification of Chandragupta Maurya with Sandrokottos of Greek historians by Jones enabled to fix a chronological horizon of Indian history. This was followed by the identification of Pataliputra (Palibothra of classical writings) at the confluence of the Ganga and Son. The decipherment of Gupta and Kutila script by Charles Wilkinson was a landmark in this aspect. Many individuals like H.T. Colebrooke, H.H. Wilson, Sir Charles Warre Malet, Lt. Manby, William Erskine, Collin Mackenzie contributed enormously in furthering the research and documentation.The appointment of Francis Buchanan in 1800 by Marquis of Wellesley to survey Mysore was a positive step by the then government. In 1807 he was engaged to survey monuments and antiquities in parts of present day Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The repair to the monuments were not thought of during this period and very sparsely certain monuments like Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandara were repaired. The Bengal Regulation XIX of 1810 was the first attempt to make the government to intervene in case of risks to monuments through legislation.In 1833 James Prinsep became the secretary of the Asiatic Society. His most eventful achievement is the decipherment of the Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts between 1834 and 1837. The identification of Piyadasi with Asoka and the contemporary kings mentioned in his Rock Edict XIII enabled to fix a clear chronological bench mark for Indian history. The excavations at Manikyala stupa (now in Bangladesh) in 1830 and in sites in the Indus – Jhelum region in 1833 and 1834 revealed Buddhist relics and through coins a new ruling family, the Kushanas was identified.

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October to March.

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Morning , Afternoon , Evening.

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How to ReachEdit

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Others : Auto richshaws: The auto rickshaws of Mumbai are the most common means of transport and are cheap also. they charge Rs 9 for the first 1.6 km and Rs 5 for km covered afterwards. The night charge is 25% more of the total charge. However, one needs to be careful as these auto rickshaws use longer routes in order to increase their fare amount.

Things to CarryEdit

It is advisable to take lots of drinkable water with you from Mumbai itself. And also camera.

Safety / WarningEdit

All Travellers should be absolutely careful about their handbags and mobile phones.
For women, where available, use women’s only areas/compartments on public transportation. Never ride in the general men’s compartment.
If not taking a prepaid taxi or a metered taxi/rickshaw, negotiate the fare before taking off.