Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Visit to Indian National Museum, Kolkata

While visiting India I took my son to Indian Museum in Kolkata as I promised him earlier this year. He loves to visit any kind of museum, except fine arts museum. 

Entrance of Indian Museum


Court yard of the Museum


Anyway, Indian Museum of Kolkata is a museum  of miscellaneous exhibits with a great history behind itself. Believe me, it is not a matter of a day’s visit. If you really want to know all the exhibits which are kept there, you need to visit everyday for months. So, truly speaking past few months I’m just struggling with the content of this post. Lastly I decided to just write down my experience there on two hours of visit.

 

The museum was founded way back in 1814-yes-in 1814 by Asiatic society of Bengal, Kolkata. The founder curator was Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish botanist. There are more than 30 galleries, though we didn’t visit all of them. From starting from fossils to fabrics, all those various kinds of ancient exhibits can excite any museum lover.  I started seeing all the exhibits very carefully, and tried to read all the boards, and signs there. Lastly, my head really started spinning. I realized I should stop  doing that. 

Most probably the picture is from Textile gallery. The original dresses used by many Kings, Nizams are kept in the Museum.


First we went to Siwalik gallery which consists of fossils . I really don’t know from where the name Siwalik came. First I thought all the fossils came from the Shivalik range of Mount Himalaya. However, I didn’t get any concrete answer anywhere, and I  don’t know any person who can put a light on my questions. Anyway, there we saw a part of a mammoth, and even saw dinosaur femur. 
My son was very interested in the Siwalik Gallery. 

Buddhist Shrine Built out of wood, set with colored glasses (Myanmar)

Replica of Salin Monastery Gateway, Mandalay, Myanmar 

Next we went to the Art section. Then my son lost all his interest in the museum. On contrary to that, my interest grew there. India is very diverse country. Through out the centuries, starting from ancient time India was invaded by many countries. The Shakas, the Huns, The Mughals invaded the country, and left  significant traces in the culture. Every periods had their own art and cultures. In the art section we could see Mughal paintings, Bengal Painting, and relatively modern paintings. Every era had their own distinctive way of painting which you can distinguish if you see the paintings carefully.

Palace Front of a Rajput chief


Idol of Nataraj-Shiva, one of the Hindu God


As I told you, different parts of India , ruled by different dynasties in different time.  From second century AD to twelfth century AD the country was ruled by to Kushana, Gupta, Pala-Sena, Chandella, Hoyasala, Chola, and Pallava on different parts. The Bronze gallery is dedicated to the sculptures  of those times which were discovered from different parts. 
I really got overwhelmed when I visited the coin gallery, anthropological gallery. It was next to impossible job to see all the exhibits.

Pasha- Ancient Board Game- Most probably Indian for of Chess(I may be wrong.)
Original weapons, used in different war

 
Hand fan


The Egyptian gallery is rather small. Mainly all the exhibits are sketches and paintings and models to show how was the day to day life was in ancient Egypt. The most important thing of this very gallery is the original mummy. Unfortunately I cannot show you any picture of the mummy, as photography is strictly prohibited to prevent the deterioration of the mummy. 
Another ancient painting, most probably on a wooden door


I’ve already told you it is not possible to visit all the galleries on one day. Though, we visited few more galleries, but I completely forgot about them. 


While leaving the museum, I went to the last Gallery, the Bharhut Gallery. In the gallery all the plated discovered from the Bharhut stupas are kept there. I found out a little details about this very gallery, I will share that in another post. 
 

N.B. I cannot share picture from the Siwalik Gallery, another many others, as the quality of the pictures are not good.

31 comments:

mamasmercantile said...

What an amazing tour you have taken us on. I enjoyed every aspect, a great post.

Sandi said...

Thank you for this trip through the museum!

I find it disturbing that museums put mummies on display, even though they try to do it respectfully. It's still a body. It makes me feel funny.


Beauty Unearthly said...

Interesting post dear! thanks for sharing xx

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

I came to visit from Corner of Plaid and Paisley - thank you for the nice comment. I went back and looked at several back posts and enjoyed visiting your blog!

Mac n' Janet said...

Love museums that have a little bit of everything.

Gina said...

Wow, thanks for sharing your trip with us! Such beautiful displays.

JoJo said...

What a cool museum!

Prims By The Water said...

How interesting. So love history. TFS Janice

diane b said...

Sounds like an amazing museum.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

So many interesting things! I can see why you need to go there for months on end.
hugs,
Jann

RaeAbigael said...

the museum looks so beautiful! <3 how i wish i could visit it too

xoxo, rae
http://www.raellarina.net/

Nancy Chan said...

Museums can be interesting but sometimes I find certain exhibits a bit eerie.

Sandi Magle said...

Embracing ones history is to know oneself. Lovely post and journey, thank you, Sandi

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Krishna, what beautiful history. I love it when the young kids enjoy all the artifacts and the museums. My grandson spent a lot of time in the museums when he was in Spain..Thanks for your visit. We had a great time with all the cousins..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

Betsy said...

I would enjoy the textiles exhibit. One truly would have to visit several times over, expecially me to absorb it all.
Wonderful courtyard and tranquil. I would love that just to stand in the quiet as it looks here.
thank you for visiting and leaving a kind comment. I hit reply but you have reply in email disabled, so I leave my comment here and wishing you a wonderful evening.
betsy

Lynne said...

Looks like a wonderful museum exhibit . . .
If we don't share things like this with our children, grandchildren,
how else would they ever know, experience, learn . . .

Thank you for visiting me at the Irish Garden House . . .

doodles n daydreams said...

I always enjoy a wander around a museum or art gallery so enjoyed reading this post.

Diana

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh wow, I so love this museum. How lucky your kids were to be exposed to this wonders.
I would love to visit it too.
Thank you for your kind visit.
Do come again.
Fabby

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

That is amazing. I am thankful you have shared. So much to see and learn.

rita said...

Wonderful post, dear! I love it!

Have a good day!

http://vivereromance.blogspot.it/

Beside a babbling brook... said...

That head of a horse, in your 3rd photo, is so interesting.

Thank you for leaving a comment in my blog.

Luna Crone

Svetlana said...

Very interesting and beautiful place! I think it is so amazing to feel that atmosphere!♥
Follow your blog, hope you will follow me back:)

Blog: Witty Sweety
Instagram: @witty_sweety

Anajá Schmitz said...

Olá,
adorei o passeio pelo museu.
Parabéns pelo blog.
Tenha um ótimo dia.

Prunella Pepperpot said...

What a wonderfully informative post, thank you for sharing. I loved seeing all of the intricate exhibits. As you say you can not take it all in in one visit.
I too love visiting Museams and I would certainly enjoy a visit to the Indian National Museum.
My sons favourites when they were young were the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum in London.
Have a truly brilliant weekend :)

Anajá Schmitz said...


Hello,
I loved the tour of the museum.
Congratulations on the blog.
Have a great day.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Krishna,
Well, one can lose oneself completely in such an interesting cultural museum!
But still I think that Siwalik indeed points to a region in the Himalayan mountains.
Fascinating cultures to view there and you ought to live there for reading all the info!
Sending you hugs,
Mariette

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Krishna,
Well, if you had looked around on my blog, you would have noticed that I got your blog already on my side line...
Thanks for your visit!
Hugs,
Mariette

Irreplaceable_fashion said...

Great place:) beautiful photos:)
Have a nice weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, what a wonderful post. Looks like a beautiful museum to visit. The exhibit is an interesting place to learn the history of India. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

Carolina G. Ticala said...

Your blog is beautiful !!! I would love to see you on my blog !! Happy day!!!
👌👌👌💚💚💚

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Museums are interesting and just overwhelming at times. So much to remember after you leave and I'm glad you had a good couple hours of viewing the past. My husband reads alot while we are in museums and retains so much compared to me...I look and do read some but not everything. My eyes go bonkers doing that!

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