The name of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is in the headlines these days after the Jama Masjid controversy in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. ASI is surveying many sites to explore the historical and cultural heritage of Sambhal. The ASI team has surveyed 5 shrines and 19 wells here, and has also surveyed the ancient Kalki Vishnu temple.
This type of survey is not being conducted for the first time in the country. Earlier, similar surveys had also been conducted in Ayodhya and Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi. After the survey, the courts have been giving their verdict on the basis of ASI report, but do you know when the Archaeological Survey of India i.e. ASI was established? When did ASI conduct the first survey in the country? What was found in this survey?
When was ASI established?
The history of the Archaeological Survey of India is older than the country’s independence. It was established in 1861, almost eight decades before independence. Alexander Cunningham became its first Director General in British India. However, the survey was suspended due to lack of funds between 1865 and 1871, after which it was reinstated by Lord Lawrence, the then Viceroy of India. After this, Cunningham was once again appointed Director General of ASI, where he worked till 1885. After his retirement, James Burgesh became the second Director General of ASI. Let us tell you, the history of the Archaeological Survey of India has been full of ups and downs. In fact, many times due to financial crisis, clouds of crisis loomed over this department and it was suspended from time to time.
Where was the first survey conducted?
There is no concrete information regarding the first survey of the Archaeological Survey of India. However, when John Marshall became the director of ASI in 1904, he entrusted the work of excavation of Harappa to Daya Ram Sahni. Around the same time, some remains were found near another site in Sindh province, which became known as Mohenjodaro. After survey of these two sites, Indus Valley Civilization was discovered in Harappa and Mohenjodaro in 1921. Let us tell you, during the tenure of John Marshall, the excavation of Taxila also started in 1913, which continued for about 21 years.
Survey was done in Ayodhya
At the time of the country’s independence, British military officer and archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler was the Director General of ASI. In 1948, NP Chakraborty took over as Director of ASI. After this Madhe Sarup Vats and Amlanand Ghosh became directors. Amlanand Ghosh remained the director of ASI till 1968, during his time excavation work was carried out in Kalibangan, Lothal, Dholavira. After Ghosh, Bibi Lal took over as director of ASI. During this time, he started excavation work in Ayodhya. According to the information, ASI officially started the survey work around the disputed site in Ayodhya in 1975 to 1976. Let us tell you, in Ayodhya Ram Mandir But when the Supreme Court gave its decision, the ASI report played an important role. ASI itself had said in its report that the disputed mosque was not built on vacant land.
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