National Museum (Delhi) - राष्ट्रीय संग्रहालय
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This gallery was jointly set up by the Archaeological Survey of India and the National Museum. It has a rich collection of a large number of artifacts from the sites of Harappan Civilisation. The collection includes pottery, seals, tablets, weights and measures, jewellery, terracotta figurines, toys, etc. It also has copper tools from Harappan sites like axes, chisels, knives, etc. About 3,800 objects have been displayed in the modernised Harappan Gallery from the National Museum collection. This Gallery also has 1,025 excavated artifacts belonging to the Indian Harappan site of the Archaeological Survey of India collection.
A prestigious collection of approximately 800 sculptures have been displayed in the Archaeological Galleries on the ground floor, the rotundas on the ground, first and second floors and around the museum building.
The sculptures displayed are mostly in stone, bronze and terracotta, dating from the 3rd century B.C., through the 19th century A.D., representing all major regions, periods and schools of art.
An added attraction is the gallery on Buddhism: A spiritual journey, with the focus on the sacred relics of the Buddha (5th-4th century B.C.) unearthed from Piprehwa, Distt. Basti and outstanding specimens of Buddhist Art as a global movement, is illustrated through 84 exhibits in stone, bronze, terracotta, stucco, wooden sculptures and painted scrolls or Thankas from Nepal, Tibet, Central Asia, Myanmar, Java and Combodia, representing the three principal Buddhist forms - Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana. Of special importance are the images of Kapardin Buddha from Ahichchhatra, Buddha - pada (footprints) from Nagarjunakonda, Distt. Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and Buddha's life scenes from Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh as well as ritualistic objects from the trans-Himalayan reign. These objects stimulate a sense of devotion, dedication and love for humanity.
The Museum has in its possession the rich heritage of Indian Miniature paintings. These belong to major styles such as, Mughal, Deccani, Central Indian, Rajasthani, Pahari and many other sub-styles relating to the period from 1000 A.D. to 1900 A.D. It also includes paintings on palm leaf, cloth, wood, leather, painted manuscripts, covers on wood and hardboard and Thankus on canvas, etc. The major theme of these miniatures are Jain Kalpasutra, the epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwatpurana, Durgasaptasati, Jaideva's Geetgobind, Ragamala, Baramasa, Panchatantra and Vishnu Purana. A few Indo-lslamic manuscripts such as Shahnama and Baburnama are also noteworthy. The portraits of medieval kings, rulers and saints are also part of this large heritage. The gallery displays selected 352 exhibits for public view.
In the gallery, 26 large-sized well-lit glass transparencies are on show narrating the wonderful story of the development of various Indian scripts from Brahmi and coins.
DECORATIVE ARTS (two galleries) The gallery brings to light for the first time 232 exclusive decorative arts artifacts, which are dated from 18th-20th century. All these utilitarian and decorative objects are made with different material, i.e. ivory, jade, glass, wood, marble, metal and ceramic. A magnificent ivory temple shrine, finest enamelled and filigree work in silver, exquisite designed silver huqqa, wooden peacock and copper inscribed degcha (cooking vessel) are the few important pieces in the gallery.
The specially designed gallery, housing 202 items from the 3rd millennium B.C. to 20th century A.D. in chronological sequencers the first of its kind in the museums of India. The most outstanding pieces include Indus jewellery, Taxila jewellery, Mugal and Islamic jewellery, belts and buckles, decorative objects, necklaces, various types of bracelets, armlets, bangles, enamels. South Indian jewellery, Navratan ornaments, bridal, ceremonial and temple jewellery are exhibited in 27 showcases.
The National Museum has an appreciable collection of manuscripts in various languages and scripts covering a large number of subjects. These manuscripts are a feast for curious eyes as they are written on different types of materials such as parchment, birch bark, palm leaf, cloth, paper, metals, etc. Aesthetic value and richness of the collection are quite evident by their remarkable illuminations and charming illustrations. Dated manuscripts elaborate Indian History with authoritative authenticity. Despite being the resource of all mystic knowledge and learning, manuscripts of Indian origin attract the viewers by various sizes of scrolls, different styles of writing on palm leaves, golden letters on coloured background of paper and natural shaded beauty of birch bark folios, while Arabic and Persian manuscripts mesmerise the Islamic world and historians by the royal seals and dates on it. Holi Quran, Royal Farmans and alluring treasure of illustrations are worth seeing. All the manuscripts represent various religions and sects of the Indian subcontinent. The exhibits cover the period of manuscripts from the 7th century to the 19th century. In this gallery 1,500 manuscripts are proposed to be displayed.
Amongst or Non-Indian collections, which adorn the National Museum, the Central Asian Arts Collection is the richest - both qualitatively and quantitatively. The collection consists of some of the most outstanding wall paintings, painted silk banners, sculptures in wood, stucco and terracotta, coins, porcelain and pottery objects, leather, grass and fibre, precious items of gold and silver, religious and secular documents. The vast and varied collection was excavated, explored and collected by Sir Aurel Stein, the foremost amongst the archaeological explorers of the early 20th century, during three major expeditions carried out by him in 1900-1901, 1906-1908 and 1913-1916. This gallery includes 600 choicest exhibits.
The gallery will display 1672 coins in a modernised format. The collection of coins in the National Museum is remarkable for its variety, rarity and antiquity. The entire history of Indian coinage, starting from about 6th century B.C. to the beginning of the 21 st century A.D., is well represented here along with the dioramas depicting various techniques of coin production. It has in it practically all Indian coins from the earliest bent bar, punch-marked coins to those of Indian States, British India and post-independence coins. A study of these currencies reveals how the Indian currency system developed from cowrie shells to credit card; These coins are a rich and authentic source of information on various aspects of Ancient, Medieval and Modern Indian history. A record of political and economic changes, its narrative and aesthetic impact reflect the cultural effervescence in different epochs in various regions of the country.
This gallery presents the two famous schools of South India-Tanjore and Mysore for viewers. The important themes are displayed in this gallery :lndian mythology, stories from epics, various gods and goddesses. Fifty paintings are on display which show a fine admixture of tradition and spiritual aspect of Indian Art from South India. The technique, how to make a Tanjore painting is also displayed with the help of seven pictures.
The textile gallery displays the fabulous and magnificent collection of Indian traditional textiles of the later Mughal period. One hundred and twenty-five choicest cotton, silk and woollen textiles, which are beautifully woven, printed, dyed and embroidered, have been displayed in the gallery. These have been arranged according to the technique of manufacturing and decoration. Among them special mention may be made of silk and zari woven sari pallu of the mid-17th century from Chanderi, printed and painted artistically designed cotton coverlet of the 17th century from Golconda and a reconstructed royal chamber illustrating various textiles in their respective use.
Pre-Columbian and Western Art collections were gifted mostly by Mrs. and Mr. Nasli Heeramaneck of U.S.A. These art objects covered mostly the pre-1492 A.D. period when Christopher Columbus unknowingly reached this part of the world in search of the new sea route to India and South-East Asia. In this gallery most of the objects belong to Mexico, Peru, Maya, Inca, North-West coast of America, Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador. Apart from these some objects of Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and some objects of Germany and France are also displayed in the gallery. About 252 exhibits are on display.
The tradition of carving wood in India for architecture, religious, utilitarian and decorative needs is well reflected in the gallery of wood carving. With the help of a hundred and twenty exhibits an attempt have been made to show various techniques and vivid subjects, which illustrates all the variety from architectural dwellings, doors, windows to cotlegs, boxes and mirrors. Intricately carved Mandapa of a Gujarat temple from the 16th 17th century A.D. is a very important piece of the gallery. Beautifully carved door and pillar from the Sun temple of Katarmal (dt Almora, Uttaranchal) dated 13th century A.D. are on display in the Late Medieval Gallery (ground floor) .This gallery includes 46 exhibits.
The Museum has a large collection of musical instruments, both folk and classical. The collection was donated to the Museum by Mrs. Saran Rani Backliwal in 1980 and 1987. Most of the Indian instruments belong to the period between the 17th-19th centuries There are also a few 19th century Western instruments. The objects have been divided into different categories like string instruments (veena, sitar, santur). Percussion instruments (tabla, dholak) and wind instruments (flute, trumpet, etc.). There are 125 musical instruments on display.
A total of 327 excellent traditional exhibits such as dresses, apparel, ornaments basketry, wood carvings and personal adornments, etc., of several tribal groups inhabiting the land of "seven sisters" are on view.
The Museum has one of the finest collections of Indian Arms and Armour comprising edged weapons, projectiles, smashing weapons, armour for men and animals, ornamental, sacrificial and ritual weapons, fire arms and war accessories. The collection is predominantly Mughal in addition to Maratha, Sikh, Rajput and Hindu arms which are also well represented. The Arms embellished with damascening, enamelling, filigree work or those inscribed or studded with semi-precious and precious stones are in the collection. This gallery has been modernised by displaying 500 exhibits.
The octagonal chariot is made of saal, sagvan wood has five tiers consisting of six wheels, beams around 425 carved panels, brackets, angles, etc. weighing approximately 2,200 kgs. This 18th-19th century chariot, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, South India. It illustrates various Saiva and Vaishnava themes, i.e. Vishnu, Laxshmi-Narayan (Lord Vishnu with his consort), Rama (one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu), Varaha (Boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Narsimha (Lion and human incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Venugopal (Krishna with flute), etc. It has been on view for the public since December 2003.
The National Museum keeps on setting up new Galleries and renovating the old Galleries according to the requirements.
An Added attraction to this museum is the newly setup Galleries for Buddhist Art, Tantra Art, Paintings from Tanjore and Mysore, Tribal Life style of North-East India and Indian Textiles.
In Tantra Art Gallery,there are 135 super creations of varying Tantric Manifestations from different parts of India, Nepal and Bhutan and Tibet including the cream of Shri Ajit Mokerjee collection are exhibited. The objects cover a period from the 10th century to early 20th century.
In Buddhist Art Gallery, A total of 84 choicest exhibits Sacred Relics of Buddha(5th century BC) unearthed from Piprahwa, Distt.Basti of UP, Thankas, Kapardina Buddha from Ahichchhatra etc.
The Gallery of Tribal Life Style of North-East India includes a total of 327 excellent traditional exhibits of dresses,appearls,ornaments, basketry,wood carving and personal adornmentsetc. of several tribal groups inhabiting the "Land of Seven Sisters" are on view.
Indian Textiles Gallery presents the sagacity of the Indian Weavers through the ages.A variety of excellent textiles cotton, silk and woollen covering the entire length and breadth of the country.
National Museum- it is one of India's most prestigious institution. The Indus valley gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, images, and pots, jewellery, bronze and copper implements and sculputures. The most outstanding object here is the lyrical bronze Dancing Girl.
Location: Janpath, New Delhi Timings: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Exhibits: Central Asian antiquities, Bronzes, Terracotta Sculptures, Coins, Rare Manuscripts and Miniature Paintings, Jewellery, etc
The National Museum was formally inaugurated in 1949 by Governor-General R.C. Rajagopalachari and initially housed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan with selected artifacts from various museums of India. In 1955, the foundation stone of the present majestic building on the corner of Janpath and Maulana Azad Road was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru and the museum was shifted here and opened to visitors in 1960. Now it is the largest museum in Delhi with around 2,00,000 exhibits of exquisite art both foreign and Indian, giving a detailed insight into Indian history and its cultural heritage. It is administered and financed by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The museum spread over three floors has several galleries with a vast collection of Pre-historic Archeology, anthropology, jewellery, paintings, decorative arts, manuscripts, Central Asian antiquities, arms and armour, textiles etc. in a chronological order. The galleries in the ground floor display rare pieces from Paleolithic age to the Mughal period. The library and auditorium is on this floor. First floor contains a varied collection of Indian miniature paintings, manuscripts, Central Asian antiquities etc. Second floor displays weapons, costumes, wood carvings, musical instruments, coins of the historical periods etc.
Archaeology section on the ground floor has a prestigious collection of Indian sculptural art of different reigns and periods. It has exhibits from Indus Valley Civilization, art of the Maurya, Sunga, Satavahana, Kushana, Gupta, Medieval, Buddhist and Tantra, Gupta Terracotta sculptures, Bronzes, Jewellery, stucco figures, gold, silver, bone and ivory images etc. dated from 3rd century B.C to 19th century A.D.
The Indus Valley Gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, imagesSeal in the Indus Valley Gallery and pots, jewellery, seals, bronze and copper implements and sculpture. The most outstanding sculpture here is the lyrical bronze Dancing Girl. Maurya-Sunga-Satavahana Gallery display artifacts from 3rd century B.C to 2nd century A.D. It includes stone sculptures depicting Buddha's life and folk deities like Yaksha, Yakshi etc, terracottas, some excellent specimens of Buddhist stupa's and carvings from rock-cut caves. In the Kushana Gallery there are images of Buddhist, Hindu and Jaina deities in human form and exhibits three styles of art from Mathura, Gandhara and Ikshvaku. Classical age of Indian art from 4th to 6th Century A.D with icons of gods, fauna and flora is represented in the Gupta Gallery. The medieval galleries exhibits, representative examples of various art-styles which flourished side by side in different regions of the country under different powers between 7th and 13th century A.D. Several stone sculptures of the early medieval period and sculptures and temple art of the famous temples like the Sun temple of Konark and Khajuraho etc of the late medieval period are displayed. Bronze Gallery has some excellent bronze collections mainly religious in character from the periods of Sunga, Kushana, Ikshvaku, Gupta etc. The art of bronze casting reveals the high level technical know-how of the people in the field of metallurgy in ancient India. The bronzes were cast by the lost-wax process called Madhuchchhist-tavidhana in Sanskrit.
Buddhist Art Gallery has exhibits of the three major schools of Buddhism - Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. A large number of Buddhist artifacts ranging from 2nd century B.C. to 12th century A.D. are displayed including sculptures of symbols from the Hinayana phase, Buddhist images from the Mahayana phase and images of Tantrik god and goddesses from the Vajrayana phase. Relics from major Buddhist sites in India and abroad, Thankas from Tibet and Nepal are some of the exhibits. The special interest in this gallery is a slab depicting scenes from Buddha's life and two relic caskets excavated from Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh. Buddhist's visit this gallery to pay homage to Lord Buddha. Tantra Art Gallery has 135 super creations of varying Tantric Manifestations from different parts of India, Nepal and Bhutan and Tibet. In Decorative Art Section there are wood carved objects and bidri ware from different parts of India, ivory carvings including a temple shrine and a large Jali (screen) with rich and minute workmanship, carved jade objects of the Mughal period and a variety of other decorative articles like studded plates, cups, bowls, vessels etc.
Gallery of Jewellery gives an insight to the ornaments worn in different regions from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the early 20th century. This specially designed gallery displays two hundred forty-three objects in twenty-seven showcases, each narrates a story of its own. Antique jewellery in exquisite workmanship mostly in gold and precious jewels like diamonds, rubies, emerald etc are seen here.
The manuscripts section on the first floor has about 14,000 manuscripts in various languages and scripts, from India and abroad, on a large number of subjects covering period of more than 1000 years. The earliest manuscript in the collection belongs to the 9th century A.D. Some rare and ancient manuscripts scribed by great calligraphers are found here.
Painting Section has a rich collection of about 17000 Indian paintings exhibited in different galleries on the 1st floor. There is also a good collection of Tibetan and Nepali Thankas, Tanjore, Mysore and Ajanta paintings, Miniatures on palm leaf, cloth and paper, Ganjifa cards, drawings, cloth paintings and scrolls covering a period from 1600-1900.The Saraswati Pata, painting on cloth, is a rare example of Jaina painting displayed in the gallery.
The two galleries of Central Asian Antiquities in the first floor with the antique collections of Sir Aurel Stein of more than eleven thousand objects from Sinkiang region of Chinese Turkestan add to the attraction of the museum. It exhibits the murals, silk banners, sculpture and wall paintings that form part of Sir Aurel Stein's collection during his expeditions, brought to India in the early part of the 20th century. Some other works of art and craft include coins, beads of stone and glass, seals, leather objects, wood carvings, potteries etc. There is a beautiful fragment of wood carving from Khotan dated to 6th-7th century A.D. showing a seated Buddha in Dharmachakra Mudra and flanked by Avalokiteshvara on the right.
Textile Gallery in the second floor displays variety of Indian textiles and the art of Indian weaving through the ages. The exhibits include excellent cotton, silk and woollen textiles covering the entire length and breadth of the country.
The gallery of Pre-Columbian Art has collections donated by Mr. & Mrs. Heeramaneck from Mexico, Peru, Argentina etc. and other countries of South America including a wide range of objects like stone sculptures, pottery, terracotta figurines, mural paintings, metal objects and illustrated manuscripts. The gallery also contain artifacts from other countries like religious sculptures from Indonesia, ceramics and bronzes from Iran, sculptures and pages of a 16th-17th century bible from France, a superb Flemish tapestry in wool and silk and wooden and ivory statues from Goa, India.
Gold Coin of Gupta PeriodThe Coin Gallery has collections of about 1,18,000 coins of gold, silver, copper and other alloys from 6th century B.C to 19th century A.D. Almost half of the collection represents the coinage of Northern India from the earliest time to present day. It is one of the richest coin cabinet with collections from Parrukh, Jhalan, Nagu, Vyas, Deshikachari, Gupta period etc. and there are copper plates and inscriptions from different periods.
Arms and Armour section is the collection more than 7000 items of Indian weapons ranging from the pre-historic period to the 19th century. It include bows and arrows made of cane, bamboo, metal and those decorated with ivory, gold and silver; swords dating back from the Harappan civilization, personal swords belonging to famous Indian emperors; variety of daggers decorated with gold, silver and studded with precious stones; defence armours like shields, helmets, body armours for men and animals; spears and javelins made of reed, bamboo, wood, metal with pointed iron or stone blade etc; ornamental, sacrificial and ritual weapons; fire-arms and war accessories etc. A few typical weapons belonging to Rajputs, Sikhs, Marathas and Pahari are also on display.
Gallery of musical instruments displays around 300 musical instruments from the personal collection of sarod maestro Sharan Rani Backliwal, acquired from different parts of the country and abroad. Wood Carving from Arunachal Pradesh
Anthropological collection contain nearly ten thousand objects of ethnographic interest. The objects here were collected during the exploratory expeditions conducted by the officials of the department in the tribal belts and rural areas. The collection includes headgears, foot wears, dresses, ornaments, musical instruments, terracotta, scroll paintings, santhal paintings, Madhubani paintings, wood carvings, masks, weapons, metal images, leather puppets, basketry etc. and tribal arts and crafts of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Aruncahal Pradesh, Nagaland etc. from the private collection of Dr. Verrier Elwin.
Timing & Entry : The museum is open every day except Mondays and government holidays. The working hours are from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Entrance to the Museum is by ticket, the rates are Re.1 for students, Rs.10 for Indians and Rs.150 for others. Camera fee for Indians is Rs.20 and Rs.300 for others.
Guided tours are available at the museum. Films on the art and heritage of India are shown on Saturdays and Sundays. Special lectures and training programmes and gallery talks by experts are also conducted. Apart from the exhibits, the museum has separate branches of publication, Hindi, Public Relations, Education, Library, Exhibition cell, Display, Modelling, Photography, Security and Administration.
Air : Delhi is the main gateway city for northern India with a modern airport. All major international air carriers operate direct services to Delhi from various centres in the world. Indira Gandhi International Airport is located at 23km southwest of Central Delhi and the domestic terminal at Palam is 5km away from the international terminal. For Air Timings, click here
Rail : Delhi has two major railway stations in New Delhi and Old Delhi. New Delhi station is within walking distance of Connaught Place and Main Delhi station is about 7km from Connaught Place. Delhi offers express trains to all parts of the country. For Train Timings, click here
Bus : Delhi is linked by bus services to all major destinations in north India. The Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT), at Kashmir Gate, north of Old Delhi railway station, is the terminus for all intercity bus services. Delhi Transport Corporation (Ph:011-3354518) and Road Transport Corporations of neighboring States provide frequent bus services.
The National Museum in New Delhi exhibits a range from terracotta figure of the 5th & 6th centurt BC to exquisitely damascened i.e. ornamented swords of the Mughal perod.
Also in New Delhi, the Crafts Museum displays the folk art of India. Perodical exhibitions include textiles, wooden sculptures of coastal India & other thematic subjects.
Janpath,
New Delhi - 110 011
Telephone : 011- 301 8415, 9272, 9237
E-mail : Contact Us
Location: Janpath, New Delhi
Timings: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Archaeology
A prestigious collection of approximately 800 sculptures have been displayed in the Archaeological Galleries on the ground floor, the rotundas on the ground, first and second floors and around the museum building.
The sculptures displayed are mostly in stone, bronze and terracotta, dating from the 3rd century B.C., through the 19th century A.D., representing all major regions, periods and schools of art.
Buddhist Art
An added attraction is the gallery on Buddhism: A spiritual journey, with the focus on the sacred relics of the Buddha (5th-4th century B.C.) unearthed from Piprehwa, Distt. Basti and outstanding specimens of Buddhist Art as a global movement, is illustrated through 84 exhibits in stone, bronze, terracotta, stucco, wooden sculptures and painted scrolls or Thankas from Nepal, Tibet, Central Asia, Myanmar, Java and Combodia, representing the three principal Buddhist forms - Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana. Of special importance are the images of Kapardin Buddha from Ahichchhatra, Buddha - pada (footprints) from Nagarjunakonda, Distt. Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and Buddha's life scenes from Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh as well as ritualistic objects from the trans-Himalayan reign. These objects stimulate a sense of devotion, dedication and love for humanity.
Indian Miniature Paintings
The Museum has in its possession the rich heritage of Indian Miniature paintings. These belong to major styles such as, Mughal, Deccani, Central Indian, Rajasthani, Pahari and many other sub-styles relating to the period from 1000 A.D. to 1900 A.D. It also includes paintings on palm leaf, cloth, wood, leather, painted manuscripts, covers on wood and hardboard and Thankus on canvas, etc. The major theme of these miniatures are Jain Kalpasutra, the epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwatpurana, Durgasaptasati, Jaideva's Geetgobind, Ragamala, Baramasa, Panchatantra and Vishnu Purana. A few Indo-lslamic manuscripts such as Shahnama and Baburnama are also noteworthy. The portraits of medieval kings, rulers and saints are also part of this large heritage. The gallery displays selected 352 exhibits for public view.
Evolution Of Indian Scripts And Coins
In the gallery, 26 large-sized well-lit glass transparencies are on show narrating the wonderful story of the development of various Indian scripts from Brahmi and coins.
DECORATIVE ARTS (two galleries) The gallery brings to light for the first time 232 exclusive decorative arts artifacts, which are dated from 18th-20th century. All these utilitarian and decorative objects are made with different material, i.e. ivory, jade, glass, wood, marble, metal and ceramic. A magnificent ivory temple shrine, finest enamelled and filigree work in silver, exquisite designed silver huqqa, wooden peacock and copper inscribed degcha (cooking vessel) are the few important pieces in the gallery.
Jewellery
The specially designed gallery, housing 202 items from the 3rd millennium B.C. to 20th century A.D. in chronological sequencers the first of its kind in the museums of India. The most outstanding pieces include Indus jewellery, Taxila jewellery, Mugal and Islamic jewellery, belts and buckles, decorative objects, necklaces, various types of bracelets, armlets, bangles, enamels. South Indian jewellery, Navratan ornaments, bridal, ceremonial and temple jewellery are exhibited in 27 showcases.
Manuscripts (under renovation)
The National Museum has an appreciable collection of manuscripts in various languages and scripts covering a large number of subjects. These manuscripts are a feast for curious eyes as they are written on different types of materials such as parchment, birch bark, palm leaf, cloth, paper, metals, etc. Aesthetic value and richness of the collection are quite evident by their remarkable illuminations and charming illustrations. Dated manuscripts elaborate Indian History with authoritative authenticity. Despite being the resource of all mystic knowledge and learning, manuscripts of Indian origin attract the viewers by various sizes of scrolls, different styles of writing on palm leaves, golden letters on coloured background of paper and natural shaded beauty of birch bark folios, while Arabic and Persian manuscripts mesmerise the Islamic world and historians by the royal seals and dates on it. Holi Quran, Royal Farmans and alluring treasure of illustrations are worth seeing. All the manuscripts represent various religions and sects of the Indian subcontinent. The exhibits cover the period of manuscripts from the 7th century to the 19th century. In this gallery 1,500 manuscripts are proposed to be displayed.
Central Asian Antiquity
Amongst or Non-Indian collections, which adorn the National Museum, the Central Asian Arts Collection is the richest - both qualitatively and quantitatively. The collection consists of some of the most outstanding wall paintings, painted silk banners, sculptures in wood, stucco and terracotta, coins, porcelain and pottery objects, leather, grass and fibre, precious items of gold and silver, religious and secular documents. The vast and varied collection was excavated, explored and collected by Sir Aurel Stein, the foremost amongst the archaeological explorers of the early 20th century, during three major expeditions carried out by him in 1900-1901, 1906-1908 and 1913-1916. This gallery includes 600 choicest exhibits.
Coins
The gallery will display 1672 coins in a modernised format. The collection of coins in the National Museum is remarkable for its variety, rarity and antiquity. The entire history of Indian coinage, starting from about 6th century B.C. to the beginning of the 21 st century A.D., is well represented here along with the dioramas depicting various techniques of coin production. It has in it practically all Indian coins from the earliest bent bar, punch-marked coins to those of Indian States, British India and post-independence coins. A study of these currencies reveals how the Indian currency system developed from cowrie shells to credit card; These coins are a rich and authentic source of information on various aspects of Ancient, Medieval and Modern Indian history. A record of political and economic changes, its narrative and aesthetic impact reflect the cultural effervescence in different epochs in various regions of the country.
Paintings From Tanjore And Mysore
This gallery presents the two famous schools of South India-Tanjore and Mysore for viewers. The important themes are displayed in this gallery :lndian mythology, stories from epics, various gods and goddesses. Fifty paintings are on display which show a fine admixture of tradition and spiritual aspect of Indian Art from South India. The technique, how to make a Tanjore painting is also displayed with the help of seven pictures.
Indian Textiles
The textile gallery displays the fabulous and magnificent collection of Indian traditional textiles of the later Mughal period. One hundred and twenty-five choicest cotton, silk and woollen textiles, which are beautifully woven, printed, dyed and embroidered, have been displayed in the gallery. These have been arranged according to the technique of manufacturing and decoration. Among them special mention may be made of silk and zari woven sari pallu of the mid-17th century from Chanderi, printed and painted artistically designed cotton coverlet of the 17th century from Golconda and a reconstructed royal chamber illustrating various textiles in their respective use.
Pre-Columbian And Western Art
Pre-Columbian and Western Art collections were gifted mostly by Mrs. and Mr. Nasli Heeramaneck of U.S.A. These art objects covered mostly the pre-1492 A.D. period when Christopher Columbus unknowingly reached this part of the world in search of the new sea route to India and South-East Asia. In this gallery most of the objects belong to Mexico, Peru, Maya, Inca, North-West coast of America, Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador. Apart from these some objects of Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and some objects of Germany and France are also displayed in the gallery. About 252 exhibits are on display.
Wood Carving
The tradition of carving wood in India for architecture, religious, utilitarian and decorative needs is well reflected in the gallery of wood carving. With the help of a hundred and twenty exhibits an attempt have been made to show various techniques and vivid subjects, which illustrates all the variety from architectural dwellings, doors, windows to cotlegs, boxes and mirrors. Intricately carved Mandapa of a Gujarat temple from the 16th 17th century A.D. is a very important piece of the gallery. Beautifully carved door and pillar from the Sun temple of Katarmal (dt Almora, Uttaranchal) dated 13th century A.D. are on display in the Late Medieval Gallery (ground floor) .This gallery includes 46 exhibits.
Musical Instruments
The Museum has a large collection of musical instruments, both folk and classical. The collection was donated to the Museum by Mrs. Saran Rani Backliwal in 1980 and 1987. Most of the Indian instruments belong to the period between the 17th-19th centuries There are also a few 19th century Western instruments. The objects have been divided into different categories like string instruments (veena, sitar, santur). Percussion instruments (tabla, dholak) and wind instruments (flute, trumpet, etc.). There are 125 musical instruments on display.
Tribal Life-Style In North-East
A total of 327 excellent traditional exhibits such as dresses, apparel, ornaments basketry, wood carvings and personal adornments, etc., of several tribal groups inhabiting the land of "seven sisters" are on view.
Arms And Armour
The Museum has one of the finest collections of Indian Arms and Armour comprising edged weapons, projectiles, smashing weapons, armour for men and animals, ornamental, sacrificial and ritual weapons, fire arms and war accessories. The collection is predominantly Mughal in addition to Maratha, Sikh, Rajput and Hindu arms which are also well represented. The Arms embellished with damascening, enamelling, filigree work or those inscribed or studded with semi-precious and precious stones are in the collection. This gallery has been modernised by displaying 500 exhibits.
Temple Chariot (near the entrance gate of the Museum)
The octagonal chariot is made of saal, sagvan wood has five tiers consisting of six wheels, beams around 425 carved panels, brackets, angles, etc. weighing approximately 2,200 kgs. This 18th-19th century chariot, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, South India. It illustrates various Saiva and Vaishnava themes, i.e. Vishnu, Laxshmi-Narayan (Lord Vishnu with his consort), Rama (one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu), Varaha (Boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Narsimha (Lion and human incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Venugopal (Krishna with flute), etc. It has been on view for the public since December 2003.
The National Museum keeps on setting up new Galleries and renovating the old Galleries according to the requirements.
An Added attraction to this museum is the newly setup Galleries for Buddhist Art, Tantra Art, Paintings from Tanjore and Mysore, Tribal Life style of North-East India and Indian Textiles.
In Tantra Art Gallery,there are 135 super creations of varying Tantric Manifestations from different parts of India, Nepal and Bhutan and Tibet including the cream of Shri Ajit Mokerjee collection are exhibited. The objects cover a period from the 10th century to early 20th century.
In Buddhist Art Gallery, A total of 84 choicest exhibits Sacred Relics of Buddha(5th century BC) unearthed from Piprahwa, Distt.Basti of UP, Thankas, Kapardina Buddha from Ahichchhatra etc.
The Gallery of Tribal Life Style of North-East India includes a total of 327 excellent traditional exhibits of dresses,appearls,ornaments, basketry,wood carving and personal adornmentsetc. of several tribal groups inhabiting the "Land of Seven Sisters" are on view.
Indian Textiles Gallery presents the sagacity of the Indian Weavers through the ages.A variety of excellent textiles cotton, silk and woollen covering the entire length and breadth of the country.
National Museum- it is one of India's most prestigious institution. The Indus valley gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, images, and pots, jewellery, bronze and copper implements and sculputures. The most outstanding object here is the lyrical bronze Dancing Girl.
Location: Janpath, New Delhi Timings: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Exhibits: Central Asian antiquities, Bronzes, Terracotta Sculptures, Coins, Rare Manuscripts and Miniature Paintings, Jewellery, etc
The National Museum was formally inaugurated in 1949 by Governor-General R.C. Rajagopalachari and initially housed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan with selected artifacts from various museums of India. In 1955, the foundation stone of the present majestic building on the corner of Janpath and Maulana Azad Road was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru and the museum was shifted here and opened to visitors in 1960. Now it is the largest museum in Delhi with around 2,00,000 exhibits of exquisite art both foreign and Indian, giving a detailed insight into Indian history and its cultural heritage. It is administered and financed by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The museum spread over three floors has several galleries with a vast collection of Pre-historic Archeology, anthropology, jewellery, paintings, decorative arts, manuscripts, Central Asian antiquities, arms and armour, textiles etc. in a chronological order. The galleries in the ground floor display rare pieces from Paleolithic age to the Mughal period. The library and auditorium is on this floor. First floor contains a varied collection of Indian miniature paintings, manuscripts, Central Asian antiquities etc. Second floor displays weapons, costumes, wood carvings, musical instruments, coins of the historical periods etc.
Archaeology section on the ground floor has a prestigious collection of Indian sculptural art of different reigns and periods. It has exhibits from Indus Valley Civilization, art of the Maurya, Sunga, Satavahana, Kushana, Gupta, Medieval, Buddhist and Tantra, Gupta Terracotta sculptures, Bronzes, Jewellery, stucco figures, gold, silver, bone and ivory images etc. dated from 3rd century B.C to 19th century A.D.
The Indus Valley Gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, imagesSeal in the Indus Valley Gallery and pots, jewellery, seals, bronze and copper implements and sculpture. The most outstanding sculpture here is the lyrical bronze Dancing Girl. Maurya-Sunga-Satavahana Gallery display artifacts from 3rd century B.C to 2nd century A.D. It includes stone sculptures depicting Buddha's life and folk deities like Yaksha, Yakshi etc, terracottas, some excellent specimens of Buddhist stupa's and carvings from rock-cut caves. In the Kushana Gallery there are images of Buddhist, Hindu and Jaina deities in human form and exhibits three styles of art from Mathura, Gandhara and Ikshvaku. Classical age of Indian art from 4th to 6th Century A.D with icons of gods, fauna and flora is represented in the Gupta Gallery. The medieval galleries exhibits, representative examples of various art-styles which flourished side by side in different regions of the country under different powers between 7th and 13th century A.D. Several stone sculptures of the early medieval period and sculptures and temple art of the famous temples like the Sun temple of Konark and Khajuraho etc of the late medieval period are displayed. Bronze Gallery has some excellent bronze collections mainly religious in character from the periods of Sunga, Kushana, Ikshvaku, Gupta etc. The art of bronze casting reveals the high level technical know-how of the people in the field of metallurgy in ancient India. The bronzes were cast by the lost-wax process called Madhuchchhist-tavidhana in Sanskrit.
Buddhist Art Gallery has exhibits of the three major schools of Buddhism - Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. A large number of Buddhist artifacts ranging from 2nd century B.C. to 12th century A.D. are displayed including sculptures of symbols from the Hinayana phase, Buddhist images from the Mahayana phase and images of Tantrik god and goddesses from the Vajrayana phase. Relics from major Buddhist sites in India and abroad, Thankas from Tibet and Nepal are some of the exhibits. The special interest in this gallery is a slab depicting scenes from Buddha's life and two relic caskets excavated from Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh. Buddhist's visit this gallery to pay homage to Lord Buddha. Tantra Art Gallery has 135 super creations of varying Tantric Manifestations from different parts of India, Nepal and Bhutan and Tibet. In Decorative Art Section there are wood carved objects and bidri ware from different parts of India, ivory carvings including a temple shrine and a large Jali (screen) with rich and minute workmanship, carved jade objects of the Mughal period and a variety of other decorative articles like studded plates, cups, bowls, vessels etc.
Gallery of Jewellery gives an insight to the ornaments worn in different regions from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the early 20th century. This specially designed gallery displays two hundred forty-three objects in twenty-seven showcases, each narrates a story of its own. Antique jewellery in exquisite workmanship mostly in gold and precious jewels like diamonds, rubies, emerald etc are seen here.
The manuscripts section on the first floor has about 14,000 manuscripts in various languages and scripts, from India and abroad, on a large number of subjects covering period of more than 1000 years. The earliest manuscript in the collection belongs to the 9th century A.D. Some rare and ancient manuscripts scribed by great calligraphers are found here.
Painting Section has a rich collection of about 17000 Indian paintings exhibited in different galleries on the 1st floor. There is also a good collection of Tibetan and Nepali Thankas, Tanjore, Mysore and Ajanta paintings, Miniatures on palm leaf, cloth and paper, Ganjifa cards, drawings, cloth paintings and scrolls covering a period from 1600-1900.The Saraswati Pata, painting on cloth, is a rare example of Jaina painting displayed in the gallery.
The two galleries of Central Asian Antiquities in the first floor with the antique collections of Sir Aurel Stein of more than eleven thousand objects from Sinkiang region of Chinese Turkestan add to the attraction of the museum. It exhibits the murals, silk banners, sculpture and wall paintings that form part of Sir Aurel Stein's collection during his expeditions, brought to India in the early part of the 20th century. Some other works of art and craft include coins, beads of stone and glass, seals, leather objects, wood carvings, potteries etc. There is a beautiful fragment of wood carving from Khotan dated to 6th-7th century A.D. showing a seated Buddha in Dharmachakra Mudra and flanked by Avalokiteshvara on the right.
Textile Gallery in the second floor displays variety of Indian textiles and the art of Indian weaving through the ages. The exhibits include excellent cotton, silk and woollen textiles covering the entire length and breadth of the country.
The gallery of Pre-Columbian Art has collections donated by Mr. & Mrs. Heeramaneck from Mexico, Peru, Argentina etc. and other countries of South America including a wide range of objects like stone sculptures, pottery, terracotta figurines, mural paintings, metal objects and illustrated manuscripts. The gallery also contain artifacts from other countries like religious sculptures from Indonesia, ceramics and bronzes from Iran, sculptures and pages of a 16th-17th century bible from France, a superb Flemish tapestry in wool and silk and wooden and ivory statues from Goa, India.
Gold Coin of Gupta PeriodThe Coin Gallery has collections of about 1,18,000 coins of gold, silver, copper and other alloys from 6th century B.C to 19th century A.D. Almost half of the collection represents the coinage of Northern India from the earliest time to present day. It is one of the richest coin cabinet with collections from Parrukh, Jhalan, Nagu, Vyas, Deshikachari, Gupta period etc. and there are copper plates and inscriptions from different periods.
Arms and Armour section is the collection more than 7000 items of Indian weapons ranging from the pre-historic period to the 19th century. It include bows and arrows made of cane, bamboo, metal and those decorated with ivory, gold and silver; swords dating back from the Harappan civilization, personal swords belonging to famous Indian emperors; variety of daggers decorated with gold, silver and studded with precious stones; defence armours like shields, helmets, body armours for men and animals; spears and javelins made of reed, bamboo, wood, metal with pointed iron or stone blade etc; ornamental, sacrificial and ritual weapons; fire-arms and war accessories etc. A few typical weapons belonging to Rajputs, Sikhs, Marathas and Pahari are also on display.
Gallery of musical instruments displays around 300 musical instruments from the personal collection of sarod maestro Sharan Rani Backliwal, acquired from different parts of the country and abroad. Wood Carving from Arunachal Pradesh
Anthropological collection contain nearly ten thousand objects of ethnographic interest. The objects here were collected during the exploratory expeditions conducted by the officials of the department in the tribal belts and rural areas. The collection includes headgears, foot wears, dresses, ornaments, musical instruments, terracotta, scroll paintings, santhal paintings, Madhubani paintings, wood carvings, masks, weapons, metal images, leather puppets, basketry etc. and tribal arts and crafts of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Aruncahal Pradesh, Nagaland etc. from the private collection of Dr. Verrier Elwin.
Timing & Entry : The museum is open every day except Mondays and government holidays. The working hours are from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Entrance to the Museum is by ticket, the rates are Re.1 for students, Rs.10 for Indians and Rs.150 for others. Camera fee for Indians is Rs.20 and Rs.300 for others.
Guided tours are available at the museum. Films on the art and heritage of India are shown on Saturdays and Sundays. Special lectures and training programmes and gallery talks by experts are also conducted. Apart from the exhibits, the museum has separate branches of publication, Hindi, Public Relations, Education, Library, Exhibition cell, Display, Modelling, Photography, Security and Administration.
How to get there
Air : Delhi is the main gateway city for northern India with a modern airport. All major international air carriers operate direct services to Delhi from various centres in the world. Indira Gandhi International Airport is located at 23km southwest of Central Delhi and the domestic terminal at Palam is 5km away from the international terminal. For Air Timings, click here
Rail : Delhi has two major railway stations in New Delhi and Old Delhi. New Delhi station is within walking distance of Connaught Place and Main Delhi station is about 7km from Connaught Place. Delhi offers express trains to all parts of the country. For Train Timings, click here
Bus : Delhi is linked by bus services to all major destinations in north India. The Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT), at Kashmir Gate, north of Old Delhi railway station, is the terminus for all intercity bus services. Delhi Transport Corporation (Ph:011-3354518) and Road Transport Corporations of neighboring States provide frequent bus services.
The National Museum in New Delhi exhibits a range from terracotta figure of the 5th & 6th centurt BC to exquisitely damascened i.e. ornamented swords of the Mughal perod.
Also in New Delhi, the Crafts Museum displays the folk art of India. Perodical exhibitions include textiles, wooden sculptures of coastal India & other thematic subjects.
Contact detail
National Museum,Janpath,
New Delhi - 110 011
Telephone : 011- 301 8415, 9272, 9237
E-mail : Contact Us
Location: Janpath, New Delhi
Timings: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm