New Circles of Archaeological Survey of India | 27 Aug 2020

The Ministry of Culture has announced 7 new circles of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The step has been taken in accordance with the Prime Minister’s call to facilitate and strengthen the process of preservation and registration of archaeological monuments.
New circles in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Trichy (Tamil Nadu), Jhansi and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Raiganj (West Bengal) and Rajkot (Gujarat) have been created.
The Hampi circle has been upgraded from the previous Hampi mini circle, and the Delhi mini circle has been merged with the Delhi circle.
ASI Circles:
- For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance the entire country is divided into 36 Circles.
- These carry out archaeological fieldwork, research activities and implement the various provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 and Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.
It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.