The Telangana Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960
The Telangana Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960
This law establishes a framework for preserving historical monuments, archaeological sites, and antiquities within Telangana that are at least seventy-five years old and not declared to be of national importance. It applies to property owners, occupiers, researchers, and the state government. The law empowers the government to declare structures or areas as protected, enter into maintenance agreements with property owners, regulate public access, restrict construction or mining in protected zones, and control or acquire important antiquities. It matters because it safeguards local cultural heritage, prevents desecration of historical sites, and balances private property rights with public preservation goals.
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
- 2. Definitions.
- 3. Certain ancient monuments, etc., deemed to be protected monuments or areas.
- 4. Power of Government to declare ancient monuments etc., to be protected monument and areas.
- 6. Preservation of protected monument by agreement.
- 7. Persons competent to exercise powers of owner under section 6, in respect of a protected monument, when owner is under disability or when it is a village property.
- 8. Application of endowment to repair a protected monument.
- 9. Failure or refusal to enter into an agreement.
- 10. Power to make order prohibiting contravention of agreement under section 6.
- 11. Enforcement of agreements.
- 12. Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed by owner.
- 13. Acquisition of protected monument.
- 15. Voluntary contributions.
- 16. Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration.
- 17. Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument.
- 18. Right of access to protected monuments.
- 19. Restrictions on enjoyment of property rights in protected areas.
- 20. Power to acquire a protected area.
- 21. Excavations in protected areas.
- 22. Excavations in areas other than protected areas.
- 23. Compulsory purchase of antiquities etc., discovered during excavation operations.
- 24. Excavation etc., for archaeological purposes.
- 25. Power of Government to control moving of antiquities.
- 26. Purchase of antiquities by Government.
- 27. Compensation for loss or damage.
- 28. Assessment of market value or compensation.
- 29. Delegation of powers.
- 31. Jurisdiction to try offences.
- 32. Certain offences to be congnizable.
- 33. Special provision regarding fine.
- 34. Recovery of amounts due to the Government.
- 35. Ancient monuments etc., no longer requiring protection.
- 36. Power to correct mistakes, etc.,
- 37. Protection of action taken under the Act.
- 39. Repeals.
PDF: pending for this language.