186 new archaeological sites identified in Bihar: Government

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted a village-to-village survey to identify sites in Bihar with “archaeological potential”, the Government informed Parliament on Monday.

In a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also said that during the last three years, 42 sites in Lakhisarai district and 144 sites in Samastipur district have been “reported”. He said Rs 15 crore has been allotted for the conservation of monuments and sites in Bihar, which are listed under the ASI during the current year.

He was asked whether the Government has undertaken any surveys or studies to identify sites in Bihar with the potential to be accorded heritage status. “Yes sir, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted a village-to-village survey to identify sites in Bihar with archaeological potential,” Shekhawat said. He added that during the “last three years (from 2023-24 to 2025-26), 42 sites in district Lakhisarai and 144 sites in district Samastipur are reported”.  The minister said the ASI takes up conservation of protected monuments and protected areas.

“There are 70 protected monuments and protected areas in Bihar. An amount of Rs 15 crore is allotted for the conservation of these monuments/sites during the current year,” he said.

Monuments of sites of national importance located in Bihar include the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University in Nalanda district, Barabar Caves in Jehanabad, Buddha Relic Stupa in Vaishali, the site of the ancient Vikramasila monastery in Bhagalpur and the Tomb of Sher Shah Suri at Sasaram in Rohtas district.

The Patna Circle of the ASI administers these centrally protected sites in Bihar.