Introduction
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Museums play a crucial role in preserving and presenting the cultural, historical,
and artistic heritage of a nation. Located on Janpath in New Delhi, it serves as a
repository of India’s past and offers a comprehensive understanding of its
civilization spanning thousands of years. The National Museum, New Delhi, is one of
India’s premier cultural institutions, housing an extensive collection that reflects the
country’s rich and diverse past.
It serves not only as a repository of artefacts but also as a centre for education,
research, and public engagement. The museum provides a comprehensive
understanding of Indian civilization, spanning over 5,000 years, and acts as a bridge
between the past and present. The blueprint of the National Museum had been
prepared by the Gwyer Committee set up by the Government of India in 1946.
Established in 1949, the National Museum in New Delhi originated from a landmark
Indian art exhibition in London (1947–48), with its artefacts forming the museum's
foundation. Initially inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhawan, its current building opened
in 1960. Today it houses around 2 lakh objects across multiple galleries, showcasing
India’s rich artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage.
History of the National Museum
The National Museum, New Delhi, as we see it today, has an interesting beginning.
The blueprint for establishing the National Museum in Delhi was prepared by the
Maurice Gwyer Committee in May 1946. An Exhibition of Indian Art, consisting of
selected artefacts from various museums of India was organized by the Royal
Academy, London with the cooperation of the Government of India and Britain
during 1947-48.
The same exhibition was later displayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan in 1949, which
proved to be a great success and led to the establishment of the National Museum. It
was formally inaugurated on 15th August 1949 by Shri C. Rajagopalachari.
The foundation stone of the present building was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955
and the building was opened to the public in 1960. The second phase was completed
in 1989. Today, the museum holds approximately 2,00,000 objects representing
over 5000 years of Indian cultural heritage.
Vision and Mission
The National Museum aims to collect, preserve and display objects of historical,
cultural and artistic significance. It promotes knowledge, research and cultural
interaction among people while representing India’s national identity.
Flowchart:
Collection → Preservation → Research → Exhibition → Public Awareness → Cultural
Identity
Galleries Overview
The museum consists of numerous galleries such as Archaeology, Decorative Arts,
Jewellery, Manuscripts, Numismatics, Arms and Armour, and Central Asian
Antiquities. These galleries collectively present a chronological and thematic
representation of India’s heritage.
Prehistoric Archaeology Gallery
This gallery presents artefacts from the earliest phases of human history including
tools, pottery, and objects from the Indus Valley Civilization. It highlights the
development of early human societies and their cultural practices.
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Harappan Gallery
The Harappan Gallery displays seals, terracotta figures, pottery, and ornaments
representing one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world.
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Maurya Period
Sculptures and artefacts showing early historic developments.
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Gupta Period
Golden age sculptures and refined artistic expressions.
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Medieval Gallery
Regional styles and religious art forms.
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Arms and Armour
Weapons and defence equipment used historically.
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Decorative Arts
Craftsmanship in metal, ivory, and ceramics.
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Jewellery Gallery
Traditional ornaments of India.
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Manuscripts
Ancient written texts and documents.
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Numismatics
Coins reflecting economic history.
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Central Asian Antiquities
Cultural exchanges with Central Asia.
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Cultural Importance
Role of museum in preserving heritage.
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