Home > Travel > Cities of India > Geological Survey of India
Geological Survey of India
Geological Survey of India is a governmental organisation housed in Kolkata from the British era that provides basic science to the Government of India and the general public with geo-physics and the chemical formation of the different lands of India.

Share this Article:

Geological Survey of India, Kolkata, West BengalGeological Survey of India was established in 1851 by the hands of British East India Company established in 1757.

Management of Geological Survey of India
Geological Survey of India is a government organisation in India which is an office attached to the Ministry of Mines of Union Government of India for conducting geological surveys and studies.

Objectives of Geological Survey of India
Geological Survey of India is one of the oldest of such organisations in the world and the second oldest survey in the country. The GSI is the prime provider of basic earth science information to the government, industry and the general public, as well as responsive participant in international geo-scientific flora, the vibrant steel, coal, metals, cement and power industries.

History of Geological Survey of India
The roots of Geological Survey of India may be traced to 1836 when the Coal Committee, followed by more such committees, was formed by the British East India Company to study and explore availability of coals in the eastern parts of India. David Hiram Williams, one of the first surveyors for the British Geological Survey, was appointed `Surveyor of coal districts and superintendent of coal works, Bengal` on 3rd December 1845 and arrived in India the following February. The phrase "Geological Survey of India" was first used on Williams`s Map of the Damoodah and Adji Great Coal Field. On 4th February 1848, Williams was appointed the "Geological Surveyor of the Geological Survey of India", but he fell off his elephant and, soon after, died with his assistant, an F. B. Jones, of `jungle fever` on 15th November 1848, after which John McClelland took over as the "Officiating Surveyor" until his retirement on 5th March 1851.

Exploration of Geological Survey of India in British Era
The work of Geological Survey of India remained primarily exploration for coal, mainly for powering steam transport, and later oil reserves, and ore deposits. In 1852, Sir Thomas Oldham, father of Richard Dixon Oldham, broadened the ambit of the scope of functioning of the Geological Survey of India by advancing the argument with the government that it was not possible to find coal without first mapping the geological structure of India. Thus, Geological Survey of India commenced to map the rock structures and strata and their age and relationships in India. Because the method of Radiometric dating was not developed at that time, the age of rock strata had to be estimated from the presence of index fossils, and consequently, much of the geologists` efforts were spent in finding these index fossils.

Related Articles
Kolkata
History of Kolkata
West Bengal, Indian State
British Empire in India
History of British Architecture in India
Impact of British Rule in India


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Cities of India

Cities of North East India
Cities of North East India defines the unity in their culture and tradition. The tourism sector in North East cities in India are mainly based on nature and adventure tourism.
Cities of Central India
Cities of Central India are located on the Central Highlands in the midst of the dense jungles and the rich history of Chandella Dynasty.
Cities of South India
Cities of South India express the cleanliness, technically upgraded traffic system and easy communication in inter cities and abroad with railways, roadways and airways.
Cities of North India
Capital Cities of North India have a rich history from the time of Mahabharata. These cities have good communication system, proper business centers and cultural home towns.
Capital Cities in East India
Capital cities in East India define the Bengali and Odiya culture with the close similarities. The tribal culture is also dominant in the 21st century capitals along with the heavy industrialization.
Capital Cities of South India
Capital cities of South India are the smarter cities, with well equipped communication system and rapid transit system. In these capital cities of India, ayurveda, historical tourism and the medical tourism are dominant.
Capital cities of West India
Capital cities of West India define the business centers and this region has the highest GDP rate.
Capital Cities of Central India
Capital Cities of Central India are located in the midst of forests and the tribal belts of Central India.
Capital Cities in North East India
North East India forms a unity in the tribal language, settlements and the culture. The capital cities of North East India run their administration in a unified form.
Ancient North Indian Cities
Ancient North Indian Cities were developed in the early era that is from the time of Mahabharata, and after the decline of Hindu kings in Northern parts. Some have become desolated and some became the archaeological ruins.
Ancient South Indian Cities
Ancient South Indian Cities witness the rise and fall of many empires from the early era.
Ancient Cities of North West India
Ancient Cities of North West India show the Rajput culture from the early phase, but in medieval era it showed the prominence after having a good relation with Mughals.
Ancient West Indian Cities
Ancient West Indian Cities are now completely in ruins, because of the heavy earthquake in some of the regions.
Holy Cities of North West India
Holy Cities of North West India are grown up in the midst of dry and thorny desert lands with Rajputana art and architecture.
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India represent the culture, history, monuments and eco tourism with easy connectivity in roadways, railways and airways.
Holy Cities of North India
Holy Cities of North India are having the rich history of Hinduism and the entire civilization was grown up with the hands of beliefs, rituals and the evolution of religion.
Holy Cities of South India
Holy Cities of South India gives the detailed cultural formation of Dravidians from the early era, which later developed to the world by the Pallavas and the Cholas.
Holy Cities of Central India
Holy Cities of Central India have the excellence of art and architecture in temples in the early era.
Holy Cities of East India
Holy Cities of East India refer the places of religious importance. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are widely spread.
Holy Cities of West India
Holy Cities in West India were established by the rulers of Rajputs and the Satvahana Dynasty and the medieval rulers of Junagadh.