Important National Museums in India

Aman Kumar Anpadhh

Important National Museums in India

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 Abstract

India, a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, is home to numerous
national museums that preserve and showcase its historical, artistic, and cultural
legacy. These institutions serve as repositories of knowledge, offering insights
into India’s vibrant past and its contributions to global culture.
The colonial sets of museums such as the National Museum in New Delhi,
one of the largest in India, house extensive collections spanning prehistoric ar-
tifacts, ancient manuscripts, textiles, and modern art. The Indian Museum
in Kolkata, the oldest museum in India, is renowned for its unique collections
of fossils, ornaments, and Mughal-era relics. Other notable museums include
the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai,
emphasizing art and archaeology, and the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad,
famed for its global art and antique collections.
These museums play a vital role in cultural education, promoting research,
and fostering an appreciation of India’s artistic and historical achievements.
With modern technological advancements, many museums are digitizing their
collections and offering interactive experiences, making them more accessible to
the public. Together, these institutions embody India’s commitment to preserv-
ing its heritage while embracing innovation for future generations.
Chapter 1

National Museum, New

Delhi

Colonial Beginnings: Early Foundations

Asiatic Society Museum (1814)
Founded by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Kolkata. It was the first orga-
nized effort to collect, preserve, and study India’s historical artifacts. Primarily
catered to British scholars and administrators interested in archaeology, ethnog-
raphy, and natural history.
Role of the East India Company
The East India Company established collections of art, coins, manuscripts,
and natural history specimens, often housed in administrative buildings. First
National Museum-Like Efforts:
The Indian Museum in Kolkata, established in 1848, grew out of
the Asiatic Society’s collections. It became a major repository of archaeological
finds, art objects, and scientific specimens.
Institutionalization During the British Raj Archaeological Survey of
India (1861): Founded by Alexander Cunningham to systematically study
and preserve India’s historical monuments and artifacts. Led to the establish-
ment of various regional museums to house and protect discovered artifacts.
Provincial Museums
Museums like the Government Museum, Chennai (1851), and the Prince of
Wales Museum, Bombay (1922, now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangra-
halaya) were established to serve regional interests. These museums emphasized
both colonial narratives and India’s classical heritage.
Colonial Purpose
Museums were often used to showcase India’s resources, traditions, and cul-
tures, reinforcing the colonial administration’s narrative. Post-Independence
Era: National Identity and Cultural Preservation

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 Establishment of the National Museum, New Delhi (1949)
Conceptualized during an exhibition of Indian art at the Royal Academy,
London (1947-48). Inaugurated in 1949, it became a premier institution for art,
archaeology, anthropology, and more.
Focus on Indian Heritage
Post-independence, museums shifted their focus to represent the diversity
and unity of Indian culture. Efforts were made to decolonize museum narratives
and include exhibits on modern Indian history, independence movements, and
folk traditions.
Development of Specialized Museums
The Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, showcasing a personal collection.
The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), dedicated to modern Indian art.
Science and technology museums, such as the Birla Planetarium and regional
science centers.

Modern Era: Expanding Role

Digitization and Accessibility
Many museums are now adopting digital technologies for virtual tours and
digital archives to make collections accessible globally. Public Engagement:
Focus on interactive exhibits, educational programs, and partnerships with
cultural institutions. Incorporation of regional histories and tribal cultures to
reflect India’s plurality.
Challenges and Innovations
Balancing traditional preservation with contemporary curatorial practices.
Encouraging participation and representation from underrepresented communi-
ties. Significance of National Museums Indian national museums serve as custo-
dians of the country’s historical, artistic, and scientific legacy. They symbolize
India’s journey from colonial subjugation to cultural self-expression, embrac-
ing both its ancient heritage and modern innovations.. The Indian National
Museums have their origins rooted in the colonial period, evolving from institu-
tions that primarily served colonial interests to centers of cultural preservation,
research, and education reflecting India’s rich heritage. Here’s an overview of
their origin and evolution:
Colonial Beginnings: Early Foundations Asiatic Society Museum (1814):
Founded by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Kolkata. It was the first orga-
nized effort to collect, preserve, and study India’s historical artifacts. Primarily
catered to British scholars and administrators interested in archaeology, ethnog-
raphy, and natural history. Role of the East India Company:
The East India Company established collections of art, coins, manuscripts,
and natural history specimens, often housed in administrative buildings. First
National Museum-Like Efforts:
The Indian Museum in Kolkata, established in 1848, grew out of the Asiatic
Society’s collections. It became a major repository of archaeological finds, art
objects, and scientific specimens.

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 Figure 1.1: Location Map of National Museum , New Delhi

Institutionalization During the British Raj

Archaeological Survey of India (1861):

Founded by Alexander Cunningham to systematically study and preserve

India’s historical monuments and artifacts. Led to the establishment of various
regional museums to house and protect discovered artifacts.
Provincial Museums:
Museums like the Government Museum, Chennai (1851), and the Prince of
Wales Museum, Bombay (1922, now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangra-
halaya) were established to serve regional interests. These museums emphasized
both colonial narratives and India’s classical heritage. Colonial Purpose:
Museums were often used to showcase India’s resources, traditions, and cul-
tures, reinforcing the colonial administration’s narrative. Post-Independence
Era: National Identity and Cultural Preservation Establishment of the National
Museum, New Delhi (1949):
Conceptualized during an exhibition of Indian art at the Royal Academy,
London (1947-48). Inaugurated in 1949, it became a premier institution for art,
archaeology, anthropology, and more. Focus on Indian Heritage:
Post-independence, museums shifted their focus to represent the diversity
and unity of Indian culture. Efforts were made to decolonize museum narratives
and include exhibits on modern Indian history, independence movements, and
folk traditions. Development of Specialized Museums:
The Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, showcasing a personal collection.
The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), dedicated to modern Indian art.
Science and technology museums, such as the Birla Planetarium and regional
science centers. Modern Era: Expanding Role Digitization and Accessibility:
Many museums are now adopting digital technologies for virtual tours and
digital archives to make collections accessible globally. Public Engagement:

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 Figure 1.2: location Map of National Museum

1.1 Origin and Evolution

The National Museum is situated in the heart of New Delhi, the center of India.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India, laid the grounding
of the present building, on the 12 May 1955, and the first phase was completed
by June 1960. The conception, however, goes back to the year 1946, when
the blueprint for establishing a National Museum in Delhi was prepared by the
Gwyer Committee, set up by the Government of India. From 29 November
1947 to 29 February 1948, a seminal exhibition titled ‘Exhibition of Indian Art’
was held in Burlington House, London.
The exhibition displayed selected artefacts from various museums of India
and was sponsored by the Royal Academy (London) with the cooperation of
the governments of India and Britain. The collection exhibited at Burling-
ton House was later showcased in the staterooms of the Rashtrapati Bhawan
(President’s House), New Delhi from 6 November to 31 December 1948. This
initiative turned out to be a great success and the event became the first step
towards the creation of the National Museum. On 15 August 1949, the Gov-
ernor General of India, Shri R.C. Rajagopalachari, formally inaugurated the
National Museum. Until a permanent building for the National Museum was
constructed, it continued its activities from Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.
interim, the success of the ‘Exhibition of Indian Art’ and the magnificence of
the collection made it amply evident that it could form the foundation of the
upcoming National Museum. Thus, state governments, museum authorities and
private donors who participated in the exhibition were approached and the ex-
hibits on show formed the core holdings of the National Museum. National
Museum was initially looked after by the Director General of Archaeology until
the year 1957, when the Ministry of Education, Government of India, declared
it a separate institution and placed it under its own direct control. At present
the administration and financial control of the National Museum is under the
Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Today the Museum holds approxi-
mately 2,00,000 objects representative of Indian and world history. The objects
cover a time span of more than 5,000 years of Indian cultural heritage. The
museum has several collections related to specialised fields.

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1.1.1 title