The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904
An Act to provide for the preservation of Ancient Monuments and of objects of archaeological, historical, or artistic interest.
Administered by. Ministry of Culture · Other Acts of 1904
Preamble
THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS PRESERVATION ACT, 1904
ACT NO. 7 OF 19041
[18 th March, 1904.] An Act to provide for the preservation of Ancient Monuments and of objects of archaeological, historical, or artistic interest.
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the preservation of ancient monuments, for the exercise of control over traffic in antiquities and over excavation in certain places, and for the protection and acquisition in certain cases of ancient monuments and of objects of archaeological, historical or artistic interest; It is hereby enacted as follows:--
What this Act covers
Summary of Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904
Key Provisions:
1. Definition & Scope:
Covers structures, erections, monuments, and related sites of historical, archaeological, or artistic interest, existing for not less than 100 years.
2. Protection Mechanisms:
Declaration of Protected Monuments: Central Government notifies protected monuments.
• Acquisition & Guardianship: Provisions for acquiring or taking guardianship of monuments.
3. Preservation Measures: - Agreements with Owners: For maintenance, custody, and regulated public access.
• Restrictions on Owners/Occupiers: Limits on alterations, constructions, or misuse.
4. Enforcement & Penalties:
• Penalties for Damage/Violations: Fines (up to ₹5,000) and/or imprisonment (up to 3 months) for damaging protected monuments or violating regulations
Sections
Type to filter. 28 sections.
- 1Short title and extent
- 2Definitions
- 3Protected monuments
- 4Acquisition of rights in or guardianship of an ancient monument
- 5Preservation of ancient monument by agreement
- 6Owners under disability or not in possession
- 7Enforcement of agreement
- 8Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed by owner
- 9Application of endowment to repair of an ancient monument
- 10Compulsory purchase of ancient monument
- 10APower Central Government to control mining, etc., near ancient monument
- 11Maintenance of certain protected monuments
- 12Voluntary contributions
- 13Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration
- 14Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument
- 15Right of access to certain protected monuments
- 16Penalties
- 17Power to Central Government to control traffic in antiquities
- 18Power to Central Government to control moving of sculptures , carvings or like objects
- 19Purchase of sculptures, carvings or like objects by the Government
- 20Power of Central Government to notify areas as protected
- 20APower to enter upon and make excavations in a protected area
- 20BPower of Central Government to make rules regulating Archaeological excavation in protected areas
- 20CPower to acquire a protected area
- 21Assessment of market-value or compensation
- 22Jurisdiction
- 23Power to make rules
- 24Protection to public servants acting under Act
Related Acts
- The Victoria Memorial Act, 19036 sections
- The Indian Museum Act, 191020 sections
- The Indian Treasure-trove Act, 187821 sections
- The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 195113 sections
- The Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 19549 sections
- The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 195863 sections
- The Salar Jung Museum Act, 196128 sections
- The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library Act, 196928 sections
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Every one of the 28 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.