Archaeology is such a field of study, which has innumerable sites and instances in India since ancient times. Few excavations happened in an unorganized manner however a thorough excavation work and discoveries of rocks happened with the active participation of the British. As such, developments in archaeology under British India can be called substantial in the extensive years. Archaeological works, improvements, papers, developments, discoveries and societies came up for Indian good will.
Within the period of 1834-35, Major-General Sir Alexander Cunningham (1814-1893) investigated the rock edicts of Ashoka at Dhaull and at Dhamek Stupa.
In the subsequent period of 1835-45, James Fergusson (1808-1886) conducted several archaeological surveys of ancient buildings from which he prepared as: Illustrations of the Rock-cut Temples of India (1845), Illustrations of Ancient Architecture in Hindostan (1847), History of Indian and Eastern Architecture (1876), The Cave Temples of India (1880) and Archaeology in India (1884).
A significant development in archaeology under British India could be witnessed when, during the years between 1861-85, the Archaeological Survey of India was established. Major-General Alexander Cunningham was appointed as its first Archaeological Surveyor from 1861 to 1865. Then from 1870 to 1885, Cunningham also served as the Director-General of the Archaeological Department. India`s rich history was partially mirrored successfully through such broadened research work in developing India archaeologically and letting people know about their ancestors.
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