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Archaeological Survey of India — heritage ecosystem
The Archaeological Survey of India was organised in 1861 under Alexander Cunningham. It remains the Union agency for centrally protected monuments and for a large body of published excavation and epigraphic work. IIACH cites ASI as a related public institution. This portal does not claim ASI administrative control, staff or statutory powers.
Law
Two Union statutes structure most teaching on movable and immovable heritage:
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 — notification, protection and regulation of ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
- Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 — registration and control of specified antiquities and art treasures.
State acts, municipal listing and forest/coastal law often apply in parallel. This page is education, not legal advice. Read the Acts as published in the Gazette / India Code.
UNESCO
India became a State Party to the 1972 World Heritage Convention in 1977. The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage governs living heritage policy. Inscriptions (Santiniketan 2023, Hoysala ensembles 2023, Ahom moidams 2024, and earlier cultural and natural properties) are UNESCO decisions, not IIACH awards.
Glossary
Charters used in conservation teaching
Venice Charter (1964), Nara Document on Authenticity (1994), Burra Charter (Australia ICOMOS). Full texts are published by ICOMOS. This site does not reproduce them verbatim.