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.