Archaeological Survey of India: Alexander Cunningham became the first Archaeological Surveyor in 1861 and the Survey was revived under him in 1871
Background
Sir William Jones formed a group of antiquarians as the Asiatic Society on 15 January 1784 in Calcutta; its journal, Asiatick Researches, began in 1788.
Bengal Regulation XIX of 1810 was the first attempt to make the government intervene through legislation when monuments were at risk.
Alexander Cunningham was appointed the first Archaeological Surveyor from December 1861.
Lord Lawrence abolished the Archaeological Survey in 1866.
Act XX of 1863 vested the government with powers to prevent injury to and preserve buildings remarkable for their antiquity or for their historical or architectural value.
The Archaeological Survey was revived as a distinct department, and Cunningham, as Director General, assumed charge in February 1871.
In plain words
Asiatic Society Society of antiquarians formed by Sir William Jones — The society whose researches began the study of India's antiquities.
Director General Head of the Archaeological Survey — The post to which Alexander Cunningham was appointed when the Survey was revived.
Bengal Regulation XIX of 1810 Early monuments law — The first attempt to make the government intervene through legislation when monuments were at risk.