India is home to a plethora of fascinating museums that display the country’s history, art, and many cultures. The country’s cultural legacy is extensive and its traditions extend centuries. History admirers and curious tourists alike will be captivated by the wide variety of exhibits found at India’s museums, which range from ancient relics to modern works of art.
The National Museum, in the middle of New Delhi, is one such institution that contains items from all over the world, including those from the Mughal and Rajput eras and ancient ages. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly the Prince of Wales Museum, is a Mumbai museum showcasing various art forms, including sculpture, decorative arts, and natural history.
The Jaipur City Palace Museum, filled with priceless artifacts, is a must-see for every Jaipur tourist. The Indian Museum of Kolkata has a wealth of history that no other museum in India can match when it comes to exposing the country’s archeological and ethnological legacy. These world-renowned museums provide an unparalleled insight into India’s rich creative history and culture.
10 Best Museums of India
Here is the list of the best museums in India:
1. The National Museum, New Delhi
2. The Indian Museum, Kolkata
3. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
4. Government Museum, Chennai
5. The Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
6. The Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
7. The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
8. National Rail Museum, Delhi
9. The Jaipur City Palace Museum, Jaipur
10. Napier Museum, Trivandrum
1. The National Museum, New Delhi
On August 15, 1949, Shri R.C. Rajagopalachari, the Governor-General of India, inaugurated the National Museum, the preeminent cultural institution of India, in the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The museum’s current collection of around 2,000,00 antiquities spans over 5,000 years of Indian cultural history and includes both foreign and Indian cultural heritage.
Established in 1983, the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation, and Museology is presently a deemed university offering a variety of courses out of its campus in New Delhi.
Before the Indian Ministry of Education recognized it as an independent institution in 1957 and took full charge of it, the National Museum was run by the Director General of Archaeology. The Museum has won several awards for its excellent chronological exhibition of chosen artifacts in its many galleries.
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2. The Indian Museum, Kolkata
The Indian Museum in Calcutta is one of the best museums and the oldest in India. Its collections cover the whole spectrum of Indian culture, from the Stone Age to the Islamic era. It was established in 1814 at the Asiatic Society of Bengal’s current location, 1 Park Street, Kolkata. The current structure encompasses geology, biology, industry, archaeology, art, and ethnology. Inside the coin gallery, there’s the world’s biggest assortment of Indian coins.
Carpets, textiles, lacquerwork, glass, and ceramics are among the art section’s most renowned items. The gallery showcases artworks from India and Persia, while the geology part is among the world’s most significant and biggest. A wide variety of Asian civilizations’ sculptures and bronzes are on display, including life-size representations of Indian people and animals.
The museum, originally called the “Asiatic Society Museum,” changed its name to the “Imperial Museum” and then to the more recognizable “Indian Museum” after years of service. Most people who visit the museum call it Jadughar or Ajabghar. The Museum Directorate contains three cultural sections—Art, Archaeology, and Anthropology—and eight coordinating service units including preservation, publication, photography, presentation, modeling, education, library, and security.
The Indian Museum in Kolkata has a wide variety of artifacts, from ancient Buddhist relics to carved stones from Southern India and fascinating artifacts from Egypt. Everyone who comes here will find something fascinating.
3. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which has been around since the early 1900s, is a leading cultural institution in India. In honor of the Prince of Wales, a museum was built for the general public. In 1998 the Museum was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya after the warrior king and founder of the Maratha Kingdom, Shivaji.
Citizens of Mumbai have long hoped for a museum that would serve as a symbol of their rich cultural history, and this building is the realization of that dream. The institution was founded with the help of public funds and the then-Government of the Mumbai Presidency.
With an outstanding collection including sculptures, terracottas, bronzes, Indus Valley artifacts, decorative arts, paintings and artifacts from Europe, ivories from Japan and China, and among others. In addition to these, the museum also has natural history and numismatics areas.
The “2022 Award of Excellence of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation” was given to this museum, now recognized as a Grade I Heritage Building. Along with the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble in Mumbai, the Museum was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2018. In 2019, the Museum was awarded the highest grade (Platinum) for its worldwide leadership in environmental management by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
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4. Government Museum, Chennai
The Government Museum, Chennai occupies 16.25 acres in the city’s central Egmore district and serves as a multi-use State Government Museum. After the Indian Museum in Kolkata, it is the second-oldest museum in India. There are several different departments inside the museum, including a Children’s Museum, Archaeology, Art, Anthropology, Geology, Botany, and Zoology.
In 1963, a dedicated structure was built for storing the priceless and extensive bronze collection. The Chemical Conservation Section expanded into a new building the same year to accommodate the growing volume of preservation operations.
The Birds Gallery also has a new structure that was completed in 1963. A new building for the Children’s Museum was inaugurated in April 1988, while a separate building for Contemporary Art was erected on January 25, 1984. The museum theater, built in 1802 in Britain by John Nash in the Italianate style, is a unique example of the style that drew inspiration from Classical architecture and is located near the major entry gates on Pantheon Road.
The museum offers a remarkable array of artifacts from various civilizations. Among these are the world-renowned Chola, sculptures from Amaravati, weapons from the Thanjavur kingdoms, inscriptions on stones, grants of copper plates, gold coins from Rajaraja I and Kulothunga I from Dowleswaram, a massive whale skeleton found near Mangalore, and among others.
5. The Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
In 1951, the Salar Jung Museum was established. Salar Jung III, whose real name is Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, collected the majority of the museum’s holdings. The artifacts exhibited in the Salar Jung Museum reflect eras of human history that span from the early 20th century A.D. to the 2nd century B.C.
There are more than 60,000 printed books, 8,000 manuscripts, and 46,000 artifacts in the museum’s collection. Additionally, there is a dedicated gallery called “The Founder’s Gallery” that pays tribute to the esteemed Salar Jung family.
Miniature paintings, modern paintings, ivory, jade, bidri pottery, armor, armor pieces, stone sculptures, and wood carvings make up the Indian Art collection. After the Salar Jung Museum was proclaimed an ‘Institution of National Importance’ in 1961, an acquisition committee added more contemporary Indian art to the collection.
The Museum’s three, two-story buildings—the Central Block, the Eastern Block, and the Western Block are home to 39 exhibits. The Education Wing, the Chemical Conservation Laboratory, the Photo area, the Display section, the Reception, and the Sales counter are a few of the many coordinating parts of the museum.
Art from Persia, Syria, and Egypt includes carpets, paper (manuscripts), ceramics, glass, metalware, furniture, lacquer, and more. Among the museum’s most prized possessions is the marble sculpture “Veiled Rebecca” by G. B. Benzoni, which Salar Jung I purchased on his 1876 Italian tour.
Salar Jung Museum is one of the few Indian museums with a large collection of Japanese and Chinese porcelain, bronze, enamel, lacquer-ware, embroidery, paintings, wood, and inlay work.
The museum features an extensive collection of valuable rare books and illuminated manuscripts. Notable emperors including Akbar, Aurangzeb, and Jahanara Begum (daughter of Shah Jahan) have their seals and autographs on signed books. The library collection clearly shows that Salar Jung III and his family were huge book lovers. Visitors to the museum may have a better understanding of Indian art.
Also Read: Museums in Pakistan
6. The Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
Victoria Memorial Hall ranks among the most imposing landmarks in Kolkata and across the country. Today, Victoria Memorial Hall stands as a true symbol of Kolkata, representing the magnificent and illustrious Italian Renaissance style of architecture that artfully combined Indian influences.
As a tribute to the late Queen Victoria, VMH was envisioned by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of British India. Sculptures of royal persons in marble and bronze adorn the entry hall, while paintings depicting events from Queen Victoria’s life and texts from her imperial proclamations adorn the walls.
The Victoria Memorial Hall is home to 29,220 items that span three centuries, starting in the middle of the 17th century, and capture the history of the country. Oil and watercolor paintings, drawings, sketches, lithographs, photos, rare books, medals, stamps, armaments, costumes, personal artifacts, and other archive materials are all part of the collection.
Victoria Memorial Hall is now the most visited museum in India and is among the world’s best museums in terms of footfall, with over 36 lakhs of visitors in FY 2023-24. The most popular tourist destination in Kolkata is VMH, which is also its symbol. The latest attraction at VMH, Kolkata the City of Joy, is a 3D Projection Mapping show that depicts the city’s encapsulated history.
7. The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
The Museum of the City- Dr. Bhau Daji Lad is managed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. In 1872, the museum first opened its doors at its current location in Bombay, India, under the name Victoria and Albert Museum.
As the first museum of Mumbai, it displays artifacts from the city’s rich cultural past and provides an insight into the city’s artistic and decorative traditions, particularly those of the Early Modern era and the many groups that made up the Bombay Presidency.
Miniature clay models, dioramas, maps, lithographs, pictures, and rare books are all part of the permanent collection. These artifacts cover the history of Mumbai and its inhabitants from the late 18th to early 20th centuries.
After a five-year restoration, the once-derelict museum was reopened to the public and presented with the 2005 Award of Excellence in Cultural Conservation by UNESCO. Reopening in 2008 with a plethora of new exhibitions, the museum is still dedicated to showcasing and supporting modern and contemporary art and culture.
International exhibits relating to the Museum’s permanent collection and works by contemporary artists have been shown via the museum’s partnerships with other cultural organizations worldwide.
8. National Rail Museum, Delhi
The National Rail Museum is located in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, along the Shanti Path. Some of the most unusual and collectible rail locomotives and carriages are on display at the museum. At the open-air Delhi National Rail Museum, visitors can view artifacts spanning the whole 150-year history of India’s railroads.
The building’s interior is a storehouse for documents about the history of the Indian railroads. Located on around 10 acres, the museum has a unique feature for children: a toy train that shows them throughout the whole facility. An important artifact housed at New Delhi’s Rail Transport Museum is the first train to operate in India.
Within the museum’s vintage area, one may find the oldest operational locomotive on the planet, the Viceregal Dining Car (1889) and the Prince of Wales Saloon (1875), the Maharaja of Mysore’s Saloon (1899), the Maharaja of Baroda’s Saloon (1886), The Fairy Queen (1855), and an array of other antiques.
9. The Jaipur City Palace Museum, Jaipur
The Jaipur City Palace Museum was formerly known as the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The museum serves as a cultural and historical landmark for Jaipur and Rajasthan while shedding light on the royal family’s traditions and way of life. The museum is located in a magnificent palace that aesthetically delights tourists with its combination of Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles. Royal Rajasthani architecture is on full display in the elaborately planned houses, gardens, and courtyards.
Artifacts on display in the museum range from weaponry and old carpets to textiles, miniature paintings, manuscripts, and royal costumes. Swords, armor, and weaponry that represent Rajasthani warrior culture are notable artifacts.
Artifacts from bygone eras of royal rule are well-preserved at the museum. The “Mubarak Mahal” (Auspicious Palace) is a popular attraction there; it showcases beautiful clothing, such as Sanganeri designs, Banarasi silks, and Pashmina shawls with intricate embroidery.
Two massive silver pots on show are among the highlights; they are the biggest silver artifacts in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The museum is a thriving cultural hub because of all the exhibits and activities it regularly sponsors.
10. Napier Museum, Trivandrum
The Napier Museum is among India’s most ancient museums devoted to natural and artistic heritage. Located on the verdant museum grounds, this old building is a municipal symbol because of its distinctive architecture and ornate decorations. The Museum is well-known for its impressive collection of art, culture, and antiquities, and it was named after Lord Napier.
The architectural marvel, constructed in 1880 CE by Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja, proudly displays the magnificence of the Travancore dynasty in the center of Thiruvananthapuram. Indo-Saracenic design elements, Gothic roofs, and minarets give this architectural marvel its world-renowned reputation.
The Napier Museum has an extensive collection of about 550 artifacts that are rich in historical and archaeological significance. In addition to this, it has an extensive collection of ancient coins—more than 5,000 in all. Antique bronze sculptures, carvings made of wood, carvings made of ivory, ancient coins, royal collectibles, and other artifacts from throughout history are on display at the museum.
It also has artifacts from Kathakali, burial urns, Japanese shadow play leather, and more. Stepping inside this historic masterpiece is like stepping into the presence of the Sword of Velu Thampi Dhalawa, one of the earliest martyrs of the Indian Freedom movement.
Conclusion
Summing up, visiting an Indian museum is like embarking on a magical journey through the country’s rich artistic, historical, and cultural heritage. The artifacts exhibited in these museums range from those of long-lost civilizations to more contemporary works that reflect a particular creative trend. At each of India’s museums, you may get a different perspective on the country’s rich and varied past.
Museums are a testament to the nation’s enduring history via its careful collections and remarkable architectural settings. Furthermore, visiting one of India’s best museums is much more than a scholarly experience; it revitalizes your spirit as well, making it an essential stop for everyone visiting this country.
FAQs
How Many Museums Are There in India?
India has around 1,000 museums.
Which Museum Is Considered the Oldest Museum in India?
The Indian Museum in Kolkata is the oldest in India.
Which Indian City Has the Most Museums?
There are 30 museums in Delhi, making it the city with the most museums in India.
Which Is the Largest Museum in Asia?
The National Museum of China in Beijing is the largest and one of the most visited museums in Asia.
Which Museum Has the Most Visitors in the World?
The Louvre, France’s national museum and art gallery is the world’s most visited museum.
