NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DELHI
IF YOU ARE CURIOUS TO KNOW ABOUT INDIAN HISTORY, ART, CULTURES ,ARCHAEOLOGY AND BUDDHIST STUDIES SO YOU HAVE TO MUST VISIT NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DELHI.
BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
On August 15, 1949, National Museum, New Delhi, was inaugurated in the Rashtrapati Bhawan by Shri C. Rajagopalachari, the Governor-General of India. The foundation of the present building was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, on May 12, 1955.
It was decided to display the same collection in Delhi, before the return of exhibits to their respective museums. An exhibition was organized in the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's residence), New Delhi in 1949, which turned out to be a great success. This event proved responsible for the creation of the National Museum.
The blueprint for the museum was prepared by the Gwyer Committee, set up by the Government of India in 19461. Sir Maurice Gwyer, the former Chief Justice of India and Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, headed the committee1. The foundation stone of the current building was laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on May 12, 19552.
Departments and collections
⟢Reception of the museum.
⟢The entrance corridor of the National Museum, housing artefacts on both side.
⟢Presently, there are several departments in the National Museum. 
⟢The entrance corridor of the National Museum, housing artefacts on both side.
⟢Presently, there are several departments in the National Museum. 
⃟ Pre-History Archaeology
Beyond the banks of Indus and Saraswati rivers, there was a civilization which flourished, it was known as The Indus Valley civilization. It was also popularly known as The Indus – Saraswati valley or Harappa Civilization. This Bronze Age civilization is supposed to be one of the oldest civilizations of India subcontinent. During 20th and 21st centuries excavation of Harappan sites archaeologists have found many artifacts (object) and from these antiquities for examples the Bronze and terracotta figurine, seals, range of pottery, Household artifacts, weights, jewellery, and skeleton etc. have been exhibited in the Harappan Gallery of National Museum.
⃟ Archaeology
After the Indus Valley Civilization, India came into the age of different rulers and dynasties. During the ancient and medieval period of Indian history, many dynasties like the Maurya, Shunga, Satavahana, Kushana, Gupta, Vardhanas, Pratiharas (in the north), Palas, Sena (in the east), Maitrakas (in the west), Chola, Chalukya, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar, Nayakas (in the south) has emerged in a different part of India. Various type of art was patronized during this period which includes religious structures, Fort, Mausoleums, and sculptures made of different materials etc. Many selected examples of various art style, which flourished simultaneously in different regions are exhibited in the “Maurya, Sunga and Satavahana Art”, “Kushan and Ikshvaku Art”, “Gupta Art, Early and late Medieval Art” Galleries of National Museum, Delhi.
⃟ Manuscripts
The National Museum has a collection of nearly 14,000 manuscripts in various languages and scripts, covering a large number of subjects and representing various schools and provinces. It comprises fragmented or full manuscripts, of which about 1000 are illustrated. The non-illustrated manuscripts are calligraphic, which have ornate letters almost transforming into pictures. Many of the illustrations and texts are rendered using real gold foil. These manuscripts are also the source for critical studies in arts and other related subjects. Covering a period of about thirteen-fourteen hundred years, broadly from the 7th century to the 20th century C.E., the National Museum manuscripts are executed on a myriad of materials such as parchment, birch bark, palm leaf, paper, cloth, wood and metals. Besides the classical Sanskrit or sacred dialects like Pali, Prakrit and trans-border languages like Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Burmese or Tibetan; the collection has manuscripts rendered in Hindi and its many dialectic forms such as Rajasthani, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli etc,. Many of the manuscripts in the collection are not only rare but often bear Royal seals and signatures of different Emperors authenticating their originality.
⃟ Numismatics & Epigraphy
Indian coinage has a long and rich historical tradition that provides a key source of information of political and economic changes. It also reflects the cultural and aesthetic development of different periods and regions.
⃟ Paintings
The National Museum has nearly 17,000 paintings, representing all important styles of Indian miniatures. It is one of the largest collections of miniature paintings in the country. The Miniature painting tradition has been a key form of Indian painting apart from murals, cloth paintings and paintings on wood. Among miniature paintings, the main schools have been- the Deccani (from the South), Mughal (Spanning Central and North India), Rajasthani (West India) and Pahari (From the hills of the North).
⃟ Arms & Armour
Since the time of Pre-History to Present, Self-preservation, protection and war have always been an inseparable part of human society. Due to these factors, Arms, as well as Armors, became part of the society. National Museum has an extensive collection of Arms and Armors. From this collection, quite a few examples of Indian weapons like different variety of bows, Variety of daggers, shields, helmets, back and foot armors, armors for protection of animals which were used in battles, swords such as the personal sword of Emperor Aurangzeb, firearms and gunpowder flask etc. ranging from the Pre-history period up to the 19th century, have been exhibited in the “Arms and Armors” Gallery of National Museum.
⃟ Decorative Arts
Every culture has its distinct features, which is clearly reflected in its art, ranging from tiles and wood carvings, ceramic or metal utensils to textiles and jewellery. These functional objects are created manually, and help us in understanding the social, religious, commercial and technological development of the society. Decorative Art Gallery at The National Museum, Delhi provides a glimpse of the extravagant lifestyle of the rulers and kingdoms from the bygone era of Indian History.
⃟ Central Asian Antiquities
Being a crucial central part of Asia, frequent movements of people from different regions, faith and culture resulted in the emergence of composite cultural tradition. Hence, we could see elements of Hellenistic, Sassanian, Uigurian, Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian in the Central Asian Art. The collection of Central Asian Antiquities with more than twelve thousand artefacts are from Xinjiang region of Chinese Turkistan which was discovered by Sir Aural Stein during his three expeditions in 1900-1901, 1906-1908, and 1913-1916 C.E. Many artefacts excavated and discovered from the oasis along the ancient trade route popularly known as Southern and Northern Silk Roads have been exhibited in the Gallery of National Museum called “Central Asian Art”. These antiquities are ranging roughly from 3rd to the 12th century.
⃟ Pre-Columbian Art
The collection of Pre Columbian art donated by Mr & Mrs Heeramaneek represents the principal cultures of the Pre- Columbian world. An exquisite collection of artefacts from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and other regions of South America are a part of the National Museum collection.
⃟ Jewellery
The Jewellery gallery at the national museum is called ‘Alamkara’ - The Beauty of Ornament, encompassing the most extensive collection of jewellery in India, with more than 250 items displayed here to tell the story of Indian jewellery. From the beautifully tumbled agate bead necklaces of Mohenjodaro and Harappa to the fabulous jewels adorned with images of gods and goddesses to the magnificent items that once reposed in the treasuries of the Mughal emperors and the maharajas, the collection spans important periods in Indian history. Spanning a legacy of five thousand years, the jewellery of India is a striking expression of the country’s aesthetic and cultural history. Jewellery collection at the National Museum celebrates diverse forms, the beauty of Indian design, and the genius of Indian craftsmanship.
⃟ Anthropology
National Museum has a vast collection of anthropological artefacts which consist of approximately 8 thousands object of varied material and mediums such as terracotta, textile, Basketry, bone wood, metal, paper, leather, etc. Many antiquities are made of mentioned material and mediums, a few examples of these artefacts are puppets, garments, masks, weapons, utilitarian objects, paintings, adornments, musical instruments etc. have been exhibited in the “Tribal Lifestyle of North-East India” Gallery of National Museum.
FOR GAINING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DELHI LINK ON ABOVE LINK:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Janpath, New Delhi - 110011
Timings: Tue-Sun (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
(Closed on Mondays and National Holidays)
Entry Fee: Adults: Rupee Icon 20
Foreign Nationals: Rupee Icon 500
Students up to class 12th: Free entry (with I-cards) click here to pre-book your visit.
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