Awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award in 2010, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is an art and history museum. It is one of the prime attractions of Mumbai and a must-visit place for history buffs and those who want to return to the ancient era.
Formerly, the museum was known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India and was later renamed after Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The museum is a repository of the country’s culture, essence, and spirit. The main objective behind the museum is to make travelers aware of India’s rich culture and heritage.
The museum displays over 50,000 artifacts dating back to the prosperous bygone era of Guptas, Mauryas, Rashtrakutas, and Chalukyas, including Indus Valley Civilization art objects. The sections inside are categorized as art, archaeology, and natural history.
Art Section
The art segment of the museum is a storehouse for collections of works of art by Ratan Tata, Dorab Tata, and Purushottam Mavji. One can see Dancing Krishna from Nepal-Tibet, beautiful paintings of Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari, and Deccan, palm leaf manuscripts that date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, manuscripts of Anwar-Suhayli, and the Hindu epic Ramayana. The place also features a section of ivory, decorative art objects like Mughal, jade, silver, and metal ware, European paintings, and the armor of Akbar.
Archeological section
The archeological section showcases the Indus Valley gallery with weapons, ornaments, fishing hooks, weights, and measures from the Indus Valley Civilization. In addition, there is a sculpture collection of Gupta, Rashtrakuta, and Chalukyan-era artifacts.
Natural History Section
The Natural History section of the museum has diagrams and charts that exhibit pictures of Indian wildlife, such as Indian bison, hornbills, tigers, and flamingos.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Architecture
The “Crescent Site,” a semicircular plot of land, is where the museum is located. The Scottish architect George Wittet, who specialized in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, created the CSMVS. This architectural style, which also incorporates elements of Mughal, Jain, Maratha, and Western architectural forms, is distinguished by arches, domes, geometric patterns, and pillars. The Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur is the source of inspiration for the magnificent dome. According to legend, the ornamental finial atop the dome is an exact reproduction of the Taj Mahal.
Places to Visit Near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
- Jehangir Art Gallery
- Regal Cinema
- Gateway of India
- Colaba Causeway
If you are planning to visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, then you must check out our Mumbai tour packages.
