India's 6 Best Museums

India boasts a treasure of museums showing off its long and rich history and culture. From ancient artifacts to modern art, these museums offer a glimpse into the country’s soul.

Pic: Kind courtesy Harvinder Chandigarh/Wikimedia Commons

Indian Museum, Kolkata

Founded: 1814

India’s oldest and one of the world’s largest museums, it houses a mind-boggling collection. From Egyptian mummies and Gandhara sculptures to rare coins, fossils, and Bengal’s traditional arts, it’s a captivating journey through history.

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National Museum, New Delhi

Founded: 1949

Wander through its galleries to discover treasures from the iconic Harappan Dancing Girl to beautiful miniature paintings, ancient relics, sculptures, and weapons -- each piece offering a peep into our earlier cultural and martial eras.

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai

Founded: 1904

Once known as the Prince of Wales Museum, this beautfiully designed and erected musuem is home to around 70,000 glittering or intriguing artefacts, from ancient Indian sculptures and decorative arts to natural history exhibits, miniature paintings and textiles.

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Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad

Founded: 1951

Countless objets d'art, be it stunning art, manuscripts, rare books and antiquities, from Persian carpets and Indian ivory, jade and bidri ware to European paintings and the famous Veiled Rebecca sculpture live in artistic harmony in this awe-inspiring palace. It also honours the legacy of the royal Salar Jung family, who put together this rare collection.

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Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

Founded: 1921

A striking blend of British and Mughal architecture, the Cal landmark honours Britain's Queen Victoria. Surrounded by lush gardens, its white marble building contains colonial-era momentoes, paintings, and sculptures, making it one of India’s most-visited museums.

 

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Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai

Founded: 1872

Mumbai’s oldest museum, now beautifully restored, is a perfect spot to for explore the city’s storied past. With ancient maps, cool artifacts, and vintage photos, it offers a fascinating insight into Mumbai’s evolution.

Pic: Kind courtesy PJeganathan/ Wikimedia Commons
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