Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904
An Act to provide for the preservation of Ancient Monuments and of objects of archaeological, historical, or artistic interest.
- 1 Short title and extent
- 2 Definitions
- 3 Protected monuments 1 judgment
- 4 Acquisition of rights in or guardianship of an ancient monument
- 5 Preservation of ancient monument by agreement
- 6 Owners under disability or not in possession
- 7 Enforcement of agreement
- 8 Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed by owner
- 9 Application of endowment to repair of an ancient monument
- 10 Compulsory purchase of ancient monument
- 10A Power Central Government to control mining, etc., near ancient monument
- 11 Maintenance of certain protected monuments
- 12 Voluntary contributions
- 13 Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration
- 14 Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument
- 15 Right of access to certain protected monuments
- 16 Penalties
- 17 Power to Central Government to control traffic in antiquities
- 18 Power to Central Government to control moving of sculptures , carvings or like objects
- 19 Purchase of sculptures, carvings or like objects by the Government
- 20 Power of Central Government to notify areas as protected
- 20A Power to enter upon and make excavations in a protected area
- 20B Power of Central Government to make rules regulating Archaeological excavation in protected areas
- 20C Power to acquire a protected area
- 21 Assessment of market-value or compensation
- 22 Jurisdiction
- 23 Power to make rules
- 24 Protection to public servants acting under Act
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.