Anthropological Survey of India

Records Available In: English

Anthropological Survey of India is the only research organisation to pursue anthropological research in a governmental setup. The Anthropological Survey of India’s genesis was from the Zoological and Anthropological section of the Indian Museum which became the Zoological Survey of India in 1916. In 1945 the Anthropology section of the Zoological Survey was carved out to eventually become the Anthropological Survey of India (An.S.I) with Dr. B.S. Guha as the founding director in 1946. The head office was shifted from Varanasi to Calcutta in 1948. Much prior to the establishment of the An.S.I, almost since the beginning of the last century, the unparalleled diversity of the people of this ancient land has come to the notice of cognoscenti interested in the Indian people, their culture, social institutions and above all their ethnic affinities. Efforts were made to understand the people in a scientific way, not only for the furtherance of scientific knowledge but also for its application towards the country’s needs and for its national well- being. The An.S.I rose to every occasion to contribute through its mandate of pursuing research in socio-cultural and biological aspects of the peoples of India in a holistic perspective, with an emphasis on the matters of contemporary relevance and national significance.

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