The National Museum in New Delhi has an exquisite collection of 2,00,000 works of art and artifacts. The museum’s collection is of both Indian and foreign origin and covers 5,000 years of cultural heritage of our country. The vast collection throws light on a civilization’s values, traditions and culture of the past as well as of the present.
Located on Janpath, the National Museum has various sections.
Harappan Artifacts
Jointly set up by the Archaeological Survey of India, the National Museum has a separate gallery displaying all the rich collection of artifacts excavated from the Harappan and Mo-henjedaro sites of Indus valley. Potteries, seals, jewelry, tablets, figurines as well as weapons made of metal portray a civilization that thrived years ago. About 1,025 excavated artifacts belonging to the Indian Harappan site is exhibited in the gallery.
Sculptures
Walking through the galleries you will across a spectacular collection of approximately 800 sculptures displayed in the Archaeological Galleries on the ground floor, as well as the first and the second floors. Sculptures of bronze, terracotta and stone dating from the 3rd century B.C. till 19th century A.D. representing many schools of art are displayed.
Arts representing sacred relics of Buddha
A gallery segregated for the study of Buddhism attracts attention for its 84 exhibits in stone, bronze, terracotta, stucco, wooden sculptures and painted scrolls or Thankas representing the spiritual journey with focus on the sacred relics of Buddha.
Miniature Paintings of India
The National Museum devotes a gallery separately for the amazing miniature paintings of India. Representing major styles of regions and periods like the Mughal, Deccani, Central Indian, Rajasthani, Pahari from 1000 A.D. to 1900 A.D. it is a splendid journey down the history when you catch a glimpse of themes like Jain Kalpasutra, the epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwatpurana, Geetgobind, Panchatantra and a few Indo-lslamic manuscripts being represented on palm leaf, cloth, wood, leather, painted manuscripts, covers on wood and hardboard and Thankus on canvas.
Indian Scripts and Coins
Representing the Indian civilization from its roots the national Museum exhibits to its visitors 26 well lit glass transparencies narrating the story of the evolution of Indian scripts from Brahmi and coins.
Indian decorative art
Two galleries exhibiting Indian art in its finest form can take your breath away. There are 232 artifacts belonging to the 18th to 20th century made of ivory, glass, jade, ceramic, wood, metal and marble. Among the exquisite pieces you will come across a magnificent temple shrine in ivory, wooden peacock and a finely carved silver huqqa.
Jewellery
The National Museum has a separate section displaying an amazing collection of jewellery dating from the 3rd millennium B.C. to 20th century A.D. An extremely attractive section that draws women as well jewellery designers get a glimpse of the creativity of Indian artists. The 202 items from the Indus jewellery, Taxila jewellery, Mughal and Islamic jewellery are exhibited.
Manuscripts
A spectacular collection of ancient manuscripts from the 7th to the 19th century awaits your curious eyes. Written in different styles, in golden letters are many valuable manuscripts of different materials such as palm leaf, cloth, metal, parchment, birch bark and paper. The dated manuscripts indicate historic authenticity and often one is drawn towards the various sizes of scrolls. Arabic and Persian manuscripts with royal seals on them mesmerize visitors.
Central Asian Antiquity
This section of the National Museum has the richest collection of Asian Arts. Collected by Sir Aurel Stein, the archaeologists of the early 20th century, it encompasses painted silk banners, outstanding wall paintings, sculptures in wood, stucco and terracotta, coins, porcelain and pottery objects, grass and fibre, leather, precious items of gold and silver, religious and secular documents.
Coins
A spectacular collection of Indian coins spanning the entire Indian history from the 6th century B.C. to the beginning of the 21st century A.D. is exhibited in the National Museum. It reveals how the Indian currency developed from cowrie shells to credit cards.
Paintings From Tanjore And Mysore
A gallery representing the famous schools of South India-Tanjore and Mysore are displayed. Themes include Indian mythology. About fifty paintings are displayed exhibiting the traditional and spiritual aspect of Indian Art .
Indian Textiles
Indian traditional textiles of the later Mughal period are displayed in this part of the National Museum.
Pre-Columbian And Western Art
Pre-Columbian and Western Art collections gifted by Mrs. and Mr. Nasli Heeramaneck of U.S.A are displayed in this part of the National Museum. These art objects here include various articles from pre-1492 A.D. period when Christopher Columbus reached this part of the world. Most objects belonging to this gallery are from Mexico, Peru, Maya, Inca, North-West coast of America, Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador.
Wood Carving, musical instruments, traditional Tribal items of the North East, Arms and Armors are the other galleries of the National Museum.
National Museum – Fast Facts
The National Museum of Delhi is a tribute to the world’s oldest civilization. It showcases a collection of arts and artifacts chronologically from the 3rd century B.C. to the 20th century A.D. The National Museum of India in New Delhi is an amazing discovery for foreigners and a matter of great pride to the country. Apart from the display of Indian culture in various galleries, the National Museum offers numerous facilities to scholars, museum personnel and also to the general public. Here are a few National Museum Fast Facts which will help you view the museum at a glance:
Facilities:
The following National Museum fast facts will delight any history buff Museum professionals, scholars and the general public with prior permission gets:
- To photograph for publication
- Access to the reserve collection
- Access to Library
- On payment general public can photograph art objects.
- With prior appointment individual or institutions are offered advice on identification of art objects by experts.
- Free-guided tour to galleries offered
- Film Shows arranged in the auditorium everyday
- Gallery talks are held on every Wednesdays on topics in respective galleries at 11 am.
- Exhibitions are held too
If you are planning a trip to the National Museum briefly study National Museum Fast Facts of Indianholiday to make your tour more organized and enjoyable. Since it is a huge museum with various sections you can plan your trip well ahead of time to avoid a hurried tour at the end.
The Galleries at a Glance:
- Harappan Civilisation
- Archaeology
- Buddhist Art
- Indian Miniature Paintings
- Evolution Of Indian Scripts And Coins
- Decorative Arts (Two Galleries)
- Jewellery
- Manuscripts
- Central Asian Antiquity
- Coins
- Paintings From Tanjore And Mysore
- Indian Textiles
- Pre-Columbian And Western Art
- Wood Carving
- Musical Instruments
- Tribal Life-Style In North-East
- Arms And Armour
- Temple Chariot (Near The Entrance Gate Of The Museum)
Apart from the above sections the Museum has separate subdivisions of publication in Hindi, Public Relations, Education, Library, Exhibition cell, Display, Modelling, Photography, Security and Administration.
Conservation Laboratory
The National Museum has a well-equipped conservation laboratory. It offers restoration of art objects as well as provides training to students as well as other professionals. Restoration of art also includes restoring oil paintings.
The National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology In 1983 the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology was formed and now deemed to be a University, it provides many courses in its campus.
On your tour to New Delhi do not miss the chance of visiting this beautiful museum encompassing India in its past and present. Book a package tour with indianholiday for a guided tour to the National Museum.
Annual Events of National Museum
The National Museum in New Delhi has an exquisite collection of 2,00,000 works of art and artifacts. Belonging to the Indian and foreign origin, the National Museum covers 5,000 years of cultural heritage. The vast collection represents a civilization upholding the values, traditions and culture of the past as well as of the present. The Museum has various galleries displaying antique pieces of past centuries. Audio Visual shows that trace ancient India till the modern era are held for visitors. Annual Events of National Museum are also held too.
Annual Events of the National Museum are held to inaugurate new sections of the museum. Annual Exhibitions such as textile exhibitions are also held which attract people from various parts of the city. Tourists visiting Delhi at the time of Annual events of National Museum can enjoy the events organized by the museum.
Nearby Attractions of National Museum
Delhi, India’s capital has a gamut of tourists attractions. It has immense historical presence since it has been the capital city of almost all the dynasties that came to rule India. A trip to National Museum though gives you a glimpse of the royal days of Delhi, a tour to the Nearby Attractions of National Museum should feature in your agenda. Old Delhi has an aura of mystic charm of Mughal monuments and forts. Though modern life style has touched its lanes and by lanes, Old Delhi still retains its charm for centuries. Tourists in search of the feel of the medieval charm never fail to visit the bustling bazaar and taste the delectable food.
Mahabharata, the epic story of India traces the origin of Delhi as Indraprastha, the capital of Pandavas. Later many dynasties ruled the subcontinent from Delhi, leaving marks of their presence in many monuments and ruins that still exist today. But from all the emperors who reigned here, Shah Jehan was the only Mughal Emperor who gave a new lease of life to Old Delhi after it has seen years of neglect from his predecessors, Akbar and Jehangir. Some of he finest monuments grace the landscape of Old Delhi.
On your tour to Old Delhi to catch its spirit you would love to make your way through the buzzing bazaars, crowded lanes and maze of shops. Besides Old Delhi will offer you a visit to the magnificent Red Fort. Not far away is the Jama Masjid another architectural splendor of Old Delhi.
Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed modern New Delhi. Nearby Attractions of National Museum include much of New Delhi. Its major attractions include the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the India Gate, a memorial in honour of the martyred Indian soldiers; the Humayun’s Tomb, the Purana Quila, built by Humayun, Qutub Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Bahai Temple.
Your trip to New Delhi, India’s Capital city should be planned well since it is a historical city as well as metropolitan city which has many attractions for the tourists. Tourist taking a trip to the National Museum may be looking forward to the Nearby Attractions of National Museum. Avail the trips offered by indianholiday to make your sight seeing pleasurable.
