CHENNAI: What began as a humble proposal for an Indian Archaeological Survey by Alexander Cunningham, second lieutenant in the Bengal engineers, way back in the 19th century, eventually flowered into the premier Indian government body to protect ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance.K P Mohandas, assistant superintending archaeologist, ASI, Chennai, recounts that in the formative years, Lord Canning, Viceroy of India, sanctioned a scheme to survey north India in 1861. A report seeking “an accurate description – illustrated by plans, measurements, drawings or photographs and by copies of inscriptions – of such remains as deserve notice, with the history of them so far as it may be traceable, and a record of the traditions that are retained regarding them,” was sought.Cunningham was appointed the first Archaeological Surveyor in December 1861. He surveyed areas stretching from Gaya in the east to the Indus in the northwest, and from Kalsi in the north to the Narmada in the south, between 1861 and 1865, Mohandoss said.Despite reversals like the abolition of the Survey in 1866 by Lord Lawrence, the ASI moved ahead steadily as a distinct department of the government and Cunningham was appointed Director General, assuming charge in February 1871. Cunningham’s surveys led to discoveries like the monolithic capitals of Asoka, specimens of architecture of the Gupta and post-Gupta periods, the great stupa of Bharhut, and identification of ancient cities including Sankisa, Sravasti and Kausambi. “Since then, there has been no looking back. The discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation, excavations in Adichanallur (a megalithic site), Arikamedu (evidencing Roman contact), excavations in Salavankuppam (Subramania temple, early Pallava period) and Siruthavur (megalithic site) are among the milestones in the journey of the ASI,” said Mohandas.
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