"Museums of India"

Museums of India

Museums are repositories of great cultural wealth. Our heritage is shared by museums almost as much as by standing monuments. Museums ensure the conservation and preservation of historical, technical and other materials against decay. They reflect a pattern of changing concerns with past, present an future. Museums are a simple route through the complex maze of India, its tradition and culture.

Most of the museums in India have incredibly large collection of objects ranging from painting, sculptures, textiles, metal wear, jewellery etc. They provide a unique glimpse into more beautiful sites of real India. They are a microcosm of India’s rich history and different tradition.

Various Collections-
Different collections on different aspects have been preserved in various museums.

1. Collection from Indus Valley Civilization -:
Many Indian museums have collection from Harappan culture. The best among them being at National Museum (Delhi) which are excellent specimens of painted pottery, jewellery of gold, semi precious stones, tiny animals, figurines in clay which displays a sensitivity to nature and styles which are the hallmark of Harappan culture.

2. Collection of Buddha Figures -:
There are many good collections of Buddha figures in government museum (Mathura) and National Museum (Delhi). In these, the artist had struggled to achieve an expression on the face of Buddha that would convey in a peace and meditation. The seated or standing figures are quite delicate and are compared with giant Buddha figures. Some of the remains of Stupas have been removed from the sites and are preserved in the museums. The sculpture from Amravati Stupa is now at government State Museum (Madras).

3. Collection of Gandharan Art -:
The Greeks and Roman traders have brought some of their craftsman with them to India and had engaged local artist in pretty works. The result was a blend of Indian, Greek and Roman Styles which is known as Gandharan Art. The museums with best collection with Gandharan culture are in National Museum (Delhi).

4. Collection of Chandella Art -:
The Khajuraho Temples will always remain famous for their Sculptures. Good collections of Chandella Sculptures from these temples can be seen at Khajuraho site museum and Indian Museum in Calcutta.

5. Collection of Articles of Mughals Empires -:
Mughals illustrations cover many subjects like hunting scenes, court celebrations, paintings of birds and animals. Artificial belongings to the reign of Akbar, his son Jahangir and Shahjahan have been preserved in the National Museum (Delhi), Salarjung Museum (Hyderabad).