The Post Graduate Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture was established in 1949-50 and Prof. Anant Sadasiva Altekar was its founder Head. The teaching of the Ancient Indian History and Culture at the Masters Level (M.A.) and guidance to research scholars leading to Ph.D. degree began in the same year. The teaching of the subject at the undergraduate level (Subsidiary and Honours levels) commenced in a centralised manner in 1959-60 to cater to the needs of all colleges under Patna University. The University Grants Commission granted approval for the specialised teaching in Archaeology and the name of the department was changed to Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, Patna University. It was in the second five year plan that this department got recognised amongst the five departments of country where permission for research in Archaeology was granted. It was in the tenure of Dr B.P. Sinha that excavation work took place at Antichak (Vikramshila), Champa, Oriup, and Chirand which increased the reputation of our department not only in the country but outside as well. During the tenure of Dr Bhagwant Sahai and Dr B.P. Rai, excavations in Chirand and Maner took place respectively. Many important antiquities have been found. More than hundreds of students have received their research degrees in Ph.D. from here. The Department is located on the South-West corner of the Patna College and at the junction of the Ashok Rajpath-Darbhanga House road. It is housed in its own building since 1963-64 which was built with the assistance of the UGC. Prior to this the department was housed in the Darbhanga House. The building is two storeyed and is situated in an independent space. It is the glory of the department. All teachers, students have together contributed to the development of the department Study tour/ Field trips: Provision of field training in Archaeology. Students are also taken out on study tours to the places of Archaeological and Historical importance for the study of antiquities as a part of field work for 60 days in two years, in the field Archaeology or explorations. Publications (i) Potteries in Ancient India, 1969 (ii) Ancient Bihar, 1978 (iii) Vikramshila Excavation Reports- 2007 The department has its own library with a good collection of books. The stock consists of more than 15,000 books and Journals for the use of students and teachers. The Department possesses a large number of Gold, Silver and Copper Coins of Ancient India. A large number of photographs of Ancient Indian Inscriptions have been collected for students to study the development of Ancient Indian Inscriptions. Departmental Museum: The Museum also has acquired fame specimen of sculpture, painting and other antiquities discovered from archaeological explorations and excavations. Technical Sections: Technical section possess the collection of antiquity from different excavation sites i.e. Patliputra, Vaishali, Sonpur, Chirand, Antichak, Vikramshila, Champa, Oriup, Maner, Hajipur etc. Archaeological Chemical Laboratory: For the checking and verification of antiquities concerning with metals, the Laboratory possesses a number of apparatus and chemicals. Photography Section: In this section apparatus regarding photography and antiquities are available. Archaeological Store : The store possesses a number of apparatus and tools concerning with Archaeological excavations. The Department provides supervision for the Ph.D. degree in the different branches of the subject.

First Head: Prof. A.S. Altaker

Present Head: Dr. Badre Ara