History of Indian Museum, Kolkata

The Indian Museum’s story begins in 1814 when it was founded by the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Even though the idea of establishing a museum was proposed by the members back in 1796, it took until 1808 for the society to establish their own building on Park Street. After another 6 years, Nathaniel Wallich, a botanist from Denmark wrote a letter to the society highlighting the importance of having a museum. Soon after its establishment, efforts began to collect interesting artifacts and objects from various regions of the nation. Many people, both Europeans and Indians, contributed by donating valuable items from their own collections.

In 1867, they began building the construction that stands today on Chowringhee Road. The architecture of the current building we see today was designed by the famous architect W.L. Grandville, who also designed the Calcutta High Court and the General Post Office. In 1878, the Indian Museum’s exhibits were finally moved to its present building. Public access to the museum started on April 1st, 1878 with only two galleries ready. Over the years, the museum expanded its capacity by adding several other galleries.

Collections and Galleries at Indian Museum, Kolkata

This iconic institution offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore over 30+ galleries filled with rare artifacts, art, and natural history specimens. Each piece tells a story, inviting you to connect with the people, cultures, and events that shaped the nation.

Bharhut Gallery: You can see amazing red stone remnants of Bharhut Stupa, excavated in 1873.

Birds Gallery: Showcases a variety of birds and how they interact with their habitat.

Botanical Gallery: Exhibition of colonial accumulation and organization of ‘economic botany’ encased in Victorian-era glass vitrines.

Bronze Gallery: Metal image repository ranging from 8th-14th century CE.

Coin Gallery: Presents a collection of more than 50,000 coins from different regions of South Asia.

Insect gallery: Home to a wide variety of insects and invertebrates, the gallery is a treasure trove of knowledge.

Mammal Gallery: Display of bones and fossils of various animals found across South Asia.

Mask Gallery: Collection of varied decorative masks made using different materials and techniques.

Human Evolution Gallery: Showcases human evolution of both the physical and cultural kind.

Egypt Gallery: The mummy housed in the Indian Museum is among the 6 Egyptian mummies in the country. It was a gift to the Asiatic Society in 1834 by a British officer by the name of Lieutenant EC Archbold.

In addition to these, the museum has several other galleries such as Invertebrate Fossils Gallery, Paintings Gallery, Gandhara Gallery, Long Archaeology Gallery, Textile Gallery, Musical Instrument Gallery, Human Evolution Gallery, Pre and Proto-Historic Gallery, Mughal Painting Gallery, Cultural Anthropology Gallery, Fish Gallery, Gallery of Decorative Art, Rocks and Minerals Gallery, Amphibia and Reptilia Gallery, Terracotta and Minor Arts Gallery, and Siwalik Gallery, to mention a few.

Treasures of the Indian Museum, Kolkata

Visitors can explore various exhibits throughout the galleries, including remarkable sculptures from two thousand years ago, Egyptian mummies, artifacts from the ancient Indus Valley civilisation of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, preserved human embryos, hanging whale skeletons and a collection of approximately 37 different kinds of opium in its commercial botany gallery. You’ll also find some curious displays, such as 7kg of rings and bangles that were discovered inside a huge crocodile’s stomach. The architectural grandeur of the museum building itself adds to the experience, with its colonial-era charm and spacious halls that inspire a sense of awe.

Note: Please note that some of the galleries might be closed at the time of your visit. No bags are allowed inside. You can leave your hand carriages at the entrance. Try not to visit on Sundays or public holidays, as they are often very crowded.

You can follow the link https://indianmuseumkolkata.org to stay up-to-date.

Whether you’re a curious traveller, a history lover, or simply looking for a piece of India’s past, the Indian Museum is a spot you’ll really enjoy. You’ll get hooked, and walk out with some new knowledge.ucate.

I hope this blog post is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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