In 1834, Alexander Cunningham excavated the stupa at Sarnath.

In 1867, he set up the Archaeological Survey of India as a small organisation.

He located many ancient sites such as Kausambhi, a Buddhist centre and discovered the Asoka pillar at Kausambhi.

He discovered the Buddhist site of Takshashila.

He discovered a large number of Buddhist monuments in northern and central India.