Largest Museum in India
-by Abhrajita Mondal
–Reading Time – 7 min Approx
Each one of you reading this has probably visited a museum in your lifetime. But what is a museum? A museum is a place that exhibits and guard important artefacts. You will also find other objects of art at the museum that are artistic, cultural, historical and scientific. Many public museums keep these on display for public viewing. There are permanent or temporary exhibitions. Moreover, you will find the largest museums in the most prominent cities. Are you wondering which is the largest museum in India? You will be amazed to know that the Indian Museum is the largest museum in India. It is also the oldest. You will come across rare collections of antiques, ornaments, fossils, skeletons, mummies and armor. Furthermore, there are Mughal paintings as well on display. The Indian Museum is in Kolkata.
You ought to know about the origin and history of the largest museum in India. It was founded in 1814. Apart from being the largest museum in the Indian subcontinent, it is also the largest multi-faceted museum in the Asia-Pacific region. After the Indian Museum was set up in India, it paved the way for 400 more museums. The Indian Museum is also referred to by several quarters, as the Imperial Museum at Calcutta. Moreover, it is the ninth oldest in India. The Danish Botanist, Nathaniel Wallich is the founder and curator. The museum is divided into multiple sections. Let us find out more about the galleries inside.
More About the Largest Museum in India:
The Indian Museum has six sections that are further divided into thirty-five galleries. Moreover, the various galleries have artefacts that pertain to Indian art, archaeology, anthropology, geology and zoology, to name a few. You will come across several specimens at the museum. The art and archaeology sections hold collections hold artefacts of international importance.
Let us explore the galleries today, although through words only. The Bharhut Gallery is an important one. You will find the architectural evidence of the Eastern Gateway. You may also hear the word ‘Torana’ associated with it. Bharhut is in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. The ‘Torana’ dates to the Sunga period. Sir Alexander Cunningham excavated the site in 1873. The structure is carved out of red sandstone. Find reliefs and railings that are works of art. The various stories that the architectural remains and railings narrate are Jataka tales, Lord Buddha’s life stories, flora and fauna motifs, demigods and goddesses. You will also find Nagas and Naginis depicted on the remains. They belong to the 1st century, B.C.
You will also come across the Bird Gallery in the largest museum in India. There, you can see various birds, their habitat and ecosystem. Specimens of foreign birds are also seen in the house. You can also check out the botanical gallery. There are various plant specimens inside the gallery. Some are endemic and some may have been extinct. The Bronze Gallery is also another popular space for you. If you are interested in metal relics, this is an option. The Metal Sculpture Gallery also comes under this section. Additionally, the Coin Gallery is exclusive. You will also find a unique collection of coins. Do you want to know the number? There are at least fifty-two thousand. The gallery displays a few original coins and a few replicas as well.
More Galleries for You to Admire Today:
You will come across other galleries as well. They are the Decorative Art Gallery, Egypt Gallery, Gandhara Gallery and Insect Gallery, to name a few. You will be amazed to see the decorative creations of the craftsmen inside the gallery. Moreover, you will find Royal Glazed Earthenware, a huge front portion of a Salin monastery and temple façade of Mandalay depicting Burmese art, the front portion of a Kathiawar house, and many more.
If you were lucky to visit Egypt, you must have seen the mummies. If not, rush to the Indian Museum today. The gallery offers a fine view of the Egyptian civilization and mummies that are 4,000 years old. Gandhara Gallery is very popular as it houses the collections pertaining to Lord Buddha’s life. The gallery also portrays Gandhara School of Art. Those who are studying Zoology may enjoy their visit to the Insect Gallery. Apart from the permanent exhibitions, the museum also holds temporary ones as well. It is the largest museum in India.
Largest Museum in India Chennai:
The Government Museum in Chennai is a popular one. It is a huge place. It was established in 1851. And history enthusiasts will love this place. It has 46 galleries. The museum is located near Egmore Railway Station. The Government Museum comprises six buildings. The art section and children’s area are simply superb. Moreover, the Government Museum in Chennai is also one of the second Oldest Museum in India. The museum comprises sections dedicated to the pre-historic period, anthropology, archaeology, heritage and numismatics. In the pre-historic gallery, you will come across armors, ornaments, coins and other Paleolithic remains. In the arts section, you will be able to spot Tanjore art works, Mughal art works and Rajput paintings as well.
The colossal structure is spread across 16.25 acres. It also houses the Museum Theatre. There are few people in this world who do not like theatre. If you have loved Shakespeare’s works, you can visit the Museum Theatre. It holds Shakespearean plays and dramas. You will find the most well-reserved manuscripts from yesteyears. Since 2004, the museum has been designated as a Manuscript Conservation Centre. There is a separate area for youngsters. The galleries hold dolls from various eras, along with exhibits of costumes, scientific displays and transportation.
The Connemara Public Library is also worth mention. It is also a part of the museum and one of the most iconic libraries. Moreover, the museum gets a footfall of 1,000 each day. It is built on the lines of the Indo-Gothic style. You will hear the name Egmore Museum associated with it. Furthermore, you will also come across the National Art Gallery inside the premises. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. It holds rare exhibits and paintings of European artists. There are paintings from the best Indian artists as well. Additionally, it holds one more title. It is regarded as the third-largest museum in the world. The museum has the richest collection of bronze idols that go back to 1000 BC. You will be thrilled to know that the Government Museum is also the Second Largest Museum in India.
The National Museum Delhi:
The National Museum of Delhi, which is also the National Museum of India is one of the largest museums in India today. It is located at the crossing of Janpath and Maulana Azad Road. The museum was established in 1949. You will be thrilled to bits, to know that there are at least 200,000 artefacts at the museum. There are both foreign and Indian artworks inside the museum. The museum covers an extensive range of exhibits from the prehistoric times and modern artworks. The museum can take you back at least 5,000 years ago.
The National Museum of Delhi has an extensive number of galleries. There are several exhibits and relics of ancient cultural heritage. You should know about the museum as it is in the national capital of the country. The Harappan Gallery holds several artefacts from the Indus Valley Civilization. It is also quite famous as the Indo-Saraswati Civilization. The Priest’s Head and the Dancing Girl are some of the popular exhibits. The museum has borrowed most of its exhibits in the Harappan Gallery from Archaeological Survey of India. Apart from these, the gallery has various terracotta murals, sculptures, ivory statues and semi-precious stones. The other galleries that are worth mention are Kushana Gallery, Maurya, Shunga and Satvahana Art Gallery, Gupta Gallery, Medieval Gallery and the Decorative Arts Gallery.
Once you enter the premises, you will be simply mesmerized. The galleries hold exhibits, artefacts and murals from the olden ages. The galleries also showcase Greek influence on the Indian sub-continent. Moreover, you will also come across the depictions of Buddha’s life. The Gupta Gallery holds marvelous relics from the Gupta Dynasty. Catch a glimpse of the collections of ivory, jade and ceramics in the Decorative Gallery. Moreover, the museum also houses a gallery that can hold 250 people. The auditorium screens films on arts, history and heritage.
India is a land of different religions and dynasties. You will be able to see British influence in some of the structures. Moreover, there is no limit to the artworks, paintings and designs by artists that you can lay your eyes on. It is a diverse land of diverse possibilities. Furthermore, there are many more museums in India that demand respect. The Rail Museum is one of them. It happens to be in the National capital itself. Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur and Calico Textile Museum in Ahmedabad, Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in Delhi are some of the notable names. So, explore the place at your own pace.
-by Abhrajita Mondal
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