About the Book: Custodians of the Past This commemorative volume celebrates ISO years of the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of India, the countrys premier organization committed to the preservation and care of its national monuments. The book offers a brief narrative of the foundation and history of the AST, lavishly illustrated with images selected from the Surveys vast photographic and drawing archives. The early photographic images from the 19th and beginning of the 20th century printed here include some never before published photographs of Indias monuments as well as rare photographs showing archaeological excavations and conservation works in progress, and provide a visual overview of the subcontinents greatest monuments.