Page 2 - Jul-Sep 2017

ARCHAEOLOGY: THEN

“Some of the monuments have already endured for ages, and are likely to last for ages to come; but there are many
others which are daily suffering from the effects of time, and which may soon disappear altogether, unless preserved
by the accurate drawings and faithful descriptions of the archaeologist.” - Alexander Cunningham

British Period Lord CUrZoN ANd restorAtioN
The history of archaeology in india can The appointment of lord Curzon as
be traced back to Sir William Jones the Viceroy of india marked a new
who formed the asiatic society on 15th era for the asi. he passed the
January 1784. The asiatic society carried ancient Monuments act, 1904.
out the fieldwork and surveys to bring to according to this act any injury to
light the historical wealth of india. protected monuments is an offence
Sir William Jones
archaeological publications increased Illustration by: punishable under the law.
in 1830s under the influence of James Agamjot Kaur, X, Lord Curzon
Princep, secretary of the asiatic society. D.A.V. Public School, under lord Curzon, John Marshall
Amritsar
Princep's work in deciphering the brahmi was made the Director-general
script of the asokan inscriptions laid the foundation of of asi. he was responsible for the
the study of ancient indian numismatics. establishment of a comprehensive
national policy of exploration,
in 1848, realising a need to document the archaeological excavations and conservation of
excavations and monitoring of the conservation of indian monuments.
monuments, Sir alexander Cunningham John Marshall
devised a plan for setting up of the indian
archaeological survey. it was eventually
formed in 1861 under the law by lord DID yOU KNOW?
Canning. in 1871, the archaeological
survey of india (asi) was established Lord Curzon visited Sanchi in 1899. On his instructions
and sir alexander Cunningham was repairs were carried out like fixing an iron band around
appointed as its first Director-general. the dome of the main stupa. Further restoration work
Sir Alexander Rehan Kabir Ahmed, IX, Pine Hall School, Dehradun; was undertaken by John Marshall, the then Director
Cunningham Siya, VII C, The S.D. Vidya School, Ambala Cantt; General of ASI.
Illustration by: Isha Mehak, VII, Sri Sathya Sai Jagriti Vidya Mandir,
Tanwar, Bhatnagar Yamunanagar
Intl. School, Vasant Extracts from Cunningham's Archaeological
Kunj, New Delhi
Survey of India Reports (Volume I)
“The most remarkable of the
“I made an excavation in Sarnath Monuments is the
the top...The solid brick- great tower called Dhamek...
work on all sides, however,
satisfied me that it was The excavation was begun in
the ruin of an ancient December 1834, and closed
stupa." in 1836, at a cost of Rupees
517.3.10."
- Report of Operations
at Nalanda, 1861-62 – Report of Operations Illustration by: Akhil Rana, XC, Green Fields School, Delhi
at Sarnath, 1861-62
ACtiVitY: A dAY iN MY LiFe
“The most important of the Buddhist ruins is an irregular You have been appointed as an
shaped mound...which the people call Chhatr. I have already archaeologist. Describe one day in your
identified this with the great Stupa which was built over life on an excavation in the forests
the spot where Buddha converted the Serpent King." of Central india. Draw a cartoon
– Report of Operations at Ramnagar, 1862-63 also to bring out the problems you Illustration by: Malvika Chawla,
would face in the forest. VIII-G, Delhi Public School,
Sector-45, Gurgaon

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