About Us

The subject of ‘Archaeology’ is included in the concurrent list of the Constitution of India. It comes under the jurisdiction of both the Centre and the State administration as well. With the formation of the independent State of Maharashtra, the Department of Archives and Historical Monuments was establishedfor the first time in 1960. In the year 1977 for administrative convenience, two separate directorates viz., the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums and the Directorate of Archives were created.

The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums functionsunder the Department of Culture Affairs, Government of Maharashtra and is further divided into two branches- Archaeology and Museums. The Directorate operates through its sub-offices at Ratnagiri, Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Nanded and Nagpur for administrative purposes.

Discovery of historical monuments, places and artefacts, studying and documenting them, and declaring them as ‘State Protected Monuments’ so as to offer them legal protection are some of the main functions of the Directorate. It thus plays vital role in protection, conservation and preservation ofour heritage. The Directorate also undertakes excavations at archaeological sites so as to bring to the light the glorious past of historical places.The Directorate conducts explorations programs to explore and document the historical places and artefacts. It also undertakes excavations at places explored which are found to be quite rich with historical markers. Conservation and preservation of State Protected Monuments, their daily maintenance along with carrying out of explorations, studying archaeological artefacts, carrying out excavations and preparing detailed reports are some of the chief objectives of the Directorate.Numerous forts, caves, temples, tombs, mosques, gardens, palaces, gateways, lakes, step-wells, and inscriptionsare protected by the Directorate.

The museums undertake very important job of preserving and showcasing the heritage of ancient India to the next generation. The Directorate has 13 museums under its jurisdiction that are home to artefacts unearthed during excavations and or those found during explorations, important historical objects, weapons and weaves, clothes and dresses, sculptures and art objects, artworks, inscriptions, structural members of the ancient- mediaeval period, paintings of revered artists etc. The main aim and objective of these museums is to not only display them for delight but also as educative devices.

The Directorate is also publishing books to introduce the public to our nations’ glorious past and heritage. These publications include annual report titled ‘Maharashtra Purattatva’, Project reports on monument’s repairs, conservation and preservation, Historical places series titled ‘AitihasikSthaldarshan Mala’ and excavation reports in independent book format.