Museums in Delhi
(from an India Tourism site)
(from an India Tourism site)
Airforce Museum
Near Indira Gandhi International Airport (Terminal 1).Open : 1000-11700 hrs; Closed: Monday & Tuesday.
The kids will simply love this – guns, bullets, uniforms and photographs that record the history of the Indian Air Force. and there are awesome aircraft which include a Westland ‘Wapiti’.
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Field Museum
Purana Qila, Mathura Road. Open 1000-1700; Closed: Friday.
Excavation has revealed that Purana Qila built by both Humayun and Sher Shah Suri was actually the site of the legendary city of Indraprastha. Archaeological finds on this site have disclosed coins from the early Sunga period (200-100BC), red earthenware from the Kushan period (100BC-300AD), seals and figurines from the Gupta period (200-600AD) and stone sculptures (700-800 AD). Later finds include Rajput coins (900-1200 AD), glazed ware and coins from the Sultanate period (1206-1526AD).
Purana Qila, Mathura Road. Open 1000-1700; Closed: Friday.
Excavation has revealed that Purana Qila built by both Humayun and Sher Shah Suri was actually the site of the legendary city of Indraprastha. Archaeological finds on this site have disclosed coins from the early Sunga period (200-100BC), red earthenware from the Kushan period (100BC-300AD), seals and figurines from the Gupta period (200-600AD) and stone sculptures (700-800 AD). Later finds include Rajput coins (900-1200 AD), glazed ware and coins from the Sultanate period (1206-1526AD).
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Gandhi Darshan
Opposite Raj Ghat. Open 1000-1730; Closed Sunday.
Bang opposite Raj Ghat is a small museum on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi. There are five pavilions for you to go through – sculpture, photographs and paintings of Gandhi and the history of the Satyagraha movement and the philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence).
Opposite Raj Ghat. Open 1000-1730; Closed Sunday.
Bang opposite Raj Ghat is a small museum on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi. There are five pavilions for you to go through – sculpture, photographs and paintings of Gandhi and the history of the Satyagraha movement and the philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence).
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Gandhi Smriti
Birla House5, Tees January Marg.Open daily between 0900-1730hrs.
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian Nation, was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic, Nathuram Godse, on 30 January 1948 on the premises of the Birla House as he was coming out into the lawn for a prayer meeting. The building was turned into a national museum after his death and people from all over the country visit to pay their respects.
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian Nation, was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic, Nathuram Godse, on 30 January 1948 on the premises of the Birla House as he was coming out into the lawn for a prayer meeting. The building was turned into a national museum after his death and people from all over the country visit to pay their respects.
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Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
1, Safdarjang Road.Open: 0930-1700hrs.
The residence of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who fell to bullets by two of her own bodyguards on 31 October, 1984. The house has since been converted into a national memorial called Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum. A modest bungalow, it is furnished simply and hung with photographs chronicling her life from childhood days with the Mahatma to later off-duty relaxation with her grandchildren Rahul, Priyanka and Varun. It is surrounded by a charming garden where you can hear Mrs Gandhi’s speeches from megaphones hidden in the bushes. It was in this garden that she was assassinated.
1, Safdarjang Road.Open: 0930-1700hrs.
The residence of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who fell to bullets by two of her own bodyguards on 31 October, 1984. The house has since been converted into a national memorial called Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum. A modest bungalow, it is furnished simply and hung with photographs chronicling her life from childhood days with the Mahatma to later off-duty relaxation with her grandchildren Rahul, Priyanka and Varun. It is surrounded by a charming garden where you can hear Mrs Gandhi’s speeches from megaphones hidden in the bushes. It was in this garden that she was assassinated.
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National Museum of Natural History
FICCI Building, Tansen Marg,New Delhi 110001.Open 1000-1700, closed Monday.
A small but well-assembled introduction to India’s natural heritage and excellent for initiating children into the study of flora and fauna. A Discovery Room offers children the opportunity to handle specimens and take part in creative activities such as animal modelling. Daily filmshow (1130-1530), regular lectures and exhibitions organized in conjunction with other natural history organizations.
FICCI Building, Tansen Marg,New Delhi 110001.Open 1000-1700, closed Monday.
A small but well-assembled introduction to India’s natural heritage and excellent for initiating children into the study of flora and fauna. A Discovery Room offers children the opportunity to handle specimens and take part in creative activities such as animal modelling. Daily filmshow (1130-1530), regular lectures and exhibitions organized in conjunction with other natural history organizations.
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National Museum
JanpathNew Delhi 110001.Open 1000-1700hrs; Closed: Monday.
A Worth Visiting Site
It wouldn’t be out of place to call National Museum the cultural gateway into India. Set up on August 15, 1949 (to coincide with our Independence Day), the museum is a treasurehouse of antiques and historical memorabilia ranging from sculpture through carving, paintings, jewellery, manuscripts, arts and crafts to you-name-it! The collection was earlier housed in the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan and moved to its present building only in 1960.The museum now boasts of over 2,00,000 works of exquisite art, both of Indian and foreign origin, covering a time span of more than 5,000 years. Some of the must-see sections are those showcasing Buddhist Art, Tantra Art, Jewellery, Scripts and Coins, Decorative Arts, Arms and Armour, Textiles, Tribal Lifestyle of Northeast India, Wood Carvings and Musical Instruments.
JanpathNew Delhi 110001.Open 1000-1700hrs; Closed: Monday.
A Worth Visiting Site
It wouldn’t be out of place to call National Museum the cultural gateway into India. Set up on August 15, 1949 (to coincide with our Independence Day), the museum is a treasurehouse of antiques and historical memorabilia ranging from sculpture through carving, paintings, jewellery, manuscripts, arts and crafts to you-name-it! The collection was earlier housed in the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan and moved to its present building only in 1960.The museum now boasts of over 2,00,000 works of exquisite art, both of Indian and foreign origin, covering a time span of more than 5,000 years. Some of the must-see sections are those showcasing Buddhist Art, Tantra Art, Jewellery, Scripts and Coins, Decorative Arts, Arms and Armour, Textiles, Tribal Lifestyle of Northeast India, Wood Carvings and Musical Instruments.
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Museum Shop Attractions
Another interesting feature is the museum shop that offers replicas of masterpieces of sculpture, books on Indian arts and culture, picture postcards, guides and various other handcrafted gift items to take back home.The museum often hosts exhibitions in coordination with museums from other countries. This means that Indian exhibits travel abroad too while those from other museums come visitng at the National Museum. The museum has a vast library which can be accessed by professionals, scholars and students after obtaining the necessary permission. Free guided tours to the galleries and film shows in the auditorium are arranged every day.
Gallery talks are held on every Wednesday on specific topics in the respective galleries at 1100hrs.
Another interesting feature is the museum shop that offers replicas of masterpieces of sculpture, books on Indian arts and culture, picture postcards, guides and various other handcrafted gift items to take back home.The museum often hosts exhibitions in coordination with museums from other countries. This means that Indian exhibits travel abroad too while those from other museums come visitng at the National Museum. The museum has a vast library which can be accessed by professionals, scholars and students after obtaining the necessary permission. Free guided tours to the galleries and film shows in the auditorium are arranged every day.
Gallery talks are held on every Wednesday on specific topics in the respective galleries at 1100hrs.
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National Philatelic Museum
Dak Bhawan,Patel Chowk,Sansad Marg. Open : 0930-1630 hrs; Closed: Saturday; Free entry passes from Parliament Street Head Post office basement.
Across the road from Patel Chowk, near Connaught Place, is Dak Bhawan which has a post office with an outlet for philatelists interested in Indian stamps. The building also houses the National Philatelic Museum which has an extensive stamp collection including the first stamp issued in India by the Sindh Dak (1854) and stamps issued before Independence by the rulers of the Princely States.
Dak Bhawan,Patel Chowk,Sansad Marg. Open : 0930-1630 hrs; Closed: Saturday; Free entry passes from Parliament Street Head Post office basement.
Across the road from Patel Chowk, near Connaught Place, is Dak Bhawan which has a post office with an outlet for philatelists interested in Indian stamps. The building also houses the National Philatelic Museum which has an extensive stamp collection including the first stamp issued in India by the Sindh Dak (1854) and stamps issued before Independence by the rulers of the Princely States.
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Nehru Memorial Museum & Library
Teen Murti HouseNew Delhi 110001.
The Residence of First Prime Minister- Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
To the south of Rashtrapati Bhawan stands Teen Murti Bhawan, built in 1929-30 as part of the new imperial capital. It used to be the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in India before independence. After the departure of the last Commander-in-Chief, it became the official residence of the first Prime Minster of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru lived here for 16 years until his death on May 27, 1964. The house cam to be identified with Nehru and one could hardly think of it without evoking his remarkable personality, creative, innovative and humane in equal proportions.Soon after his death the Govt. of India decided that teen Murti House should be dedicated to his memory and should house a museum and a library.
Teen Murti HouseNew Delhi 110001.
The Residence of First Prime Minister- Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
To the south of Rashtrapati Bhawan stands Teen Murti Bhawan, built in 1929-30 as part of the new imperial capital. It used to be the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in India before independence. After the departure of the last Commander-in-Chief, it became the official residence of the first Prime Minster of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru lived here for 16 years until his death on May 27, 1964. The house cam to be identified with Nehru and one could hardly think of it without evoking his remarkable personality, creative, innovative and humane in equal proportions.Soon after his death the Govt. of India decided that teen Murti House should be dedicated to his memory and should house a museum and a library.
Converted Into A Museum
The museum at Teen Murti has been primarily developed as a personalia museum. Some of the rooms, such as the bedroom, the drawing-room and the study have been preserved as they were at the time of Nehru’s death. The museum portrays through visual media the life and work of a man who was the leader of India’s struggle for freedom, the architect of modern India, and a passionate champion of world peace. Apart from highlighting his achievements, the visual display describes Nehru’s Kashmiri lineage, reconstructs his childhood and youth, his years at Harrow and Cambridge, his budding career as a barrister and his activities as a young radical who entered nationalist politics in 1917 by participating in the Home Rule Movement. A display of popular interest is the Gifts Gallery which has some of the priceless gifts received by Nehru during his travels in India and overseas. Among the exhibits is the Baharat Ratna medal awarded to the late Prime Minster in 1955.
Main Attractions
An object of great interest to visitors is the Jawahar Jyoti, the eternal flame which is kept burning day and night. The ‘jyoti’ symbolizes the ideals for Jawaharlal lived and worked during his lifetime.A massive granite rock put up in the front lawn is inscribed with excerpts from the historic tryst with destiny speech delivered by Nehru in the midnight session of the Indian Constituent Assembly on August 14-15, 1947. Since its inception more than 12 million visitors have thronged to the museum. Guides are available for conducting groups of visitors.
The son-et-lumiere shows, with Hindi and English commentaries, arranged in Teen Murti House every evening throughout the year, except during the rainy season, lend colour and splendour to the story of Jawaharlal Nehru’s life.
The Nehru Library collection consists of material on religion, culture, sociology, economics, politics and development in India. The library collection includes books, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, more than 5,500 microfilm rolls of private papers, missionary records, newspapers and old and rare journals and 4,480 microfiche plates of research material.The museum and library boast of an excellent manuscript collection which can be divided into two categories: institutional records and papers and correspondence of individuals. The collection began with the precious nucleus of the Nehru family papers of the pre-independence days. Since then, a very substantial number of additional papers have been added. Among 300 and more individual collections are the papers of eminent politicians, adminstrators, diplomats, jurists, scientists, educationists and industrialists.
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Red Fort Archaeological Museum
Mumtaz Mahal, Red Fort.Open: 1000-1700: Closed: Friday.
Paraphernalia and memorabilia from the Mugahl reign in Delhi. A special section is dedicated to the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, who died in captivity. You can get a peek at some of his personal belongings like his silk robes and hookah. Check out the amzingly crafted swords, hookahs and chess sets, embroidered textiles and decorative blue tiles.
Mumtaz Mahal, Red Fort.Open: 1000-1700: Closed: Friday.
Paraphernalia and memorabilia from the Mugahl reign in Delhi. A special section is dedicated to the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, who died in captivity. You can get a peek at some of his personal belongings like his silk robes and hookah. Check out the amzingly crafted swords, hookahs and chess sets, embroidered textiles and decorative blue tiles.
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Sanskriti Museum of Everyday Art
Sanskriti Kendra
AnandgramMehrauli-Gurgaon Road,New Delhi 110047.
The Sanskriti Museum of Everyday Art is housed in Sanskriti Kendra. The museum was set up out of a concern for endangered Indian traditions. It has now become a unique repository of objects from the everyday life of traditional India, which show excellence in craftsmanship, conception and choice of design. These objects, numbering over a thousand, are suitably documented for the purpose of research.
Sanskriti Kendra
AnandgramMehrauli-Gurgaon Road,New Delhi 110047.
The Sanskriti Museum of Everyday Art is housed in Sanskriti Kendra. The museum was set up out of a concern for endangered Indian traditions. It has now become a unique repository of objects from the everyday life of traditional India, which show excellence in craftsmanship, conception and choice of design. These objects, numbering over a thousand, are suitably documented for the purpose of research.
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Sanskriti Museum of Terracotta
Sanskriti Kendra
AnandgramMehrauli-Gurgaon Road,New Delhi 110047.
Another museum located in Sanskriti Kendra is the Museum of Terracotta. To Indians, Earth is Mother – a symbol of absorption and creativity. Inspired by this thought Sanskriti created this museum which houses objects made by some of the finest craftspersons who have visited the Kendra from different parts of India. Using their distinctive traditions and techniques, they created objects that are displayed in the museum and elsewhere within the complex.The museum has a well-documented display of India’s terracotta tradition. Complementing the museum are residential faclities and working space for craftspersons where one can sometimes get an opportunity to see them at work.
Swatantrata Sangram Sanghrahalya
Open: 1000-1700; Closed: Friday.
A definite stop for all those who wish to know more about the sweat, toil and blood that went into India’s struggle for Independence. Run by the Archaeological Survey of India, the museum is 100m beyond a left turn after Chatta Chowk near the Red Fort in Old Delhi. It traces India’s history from the colonial period and focuses on the freedom movement and its leading lights. A comprehensive collection of photographs, paintings, maps, and bronzes makes for an interesting and educative experience. This is an excellent way to tell your kids about their country and the price our forefathers have paid for the freedom we enjoy today.
Sanskriti Kendra
AnandgramMehrauli-Gurgaon Road,New Delhi 110047.
Another museum located in Sanskriti Kendra is the Museum of Terracotta. To Indians, Earth is Mother – a symbol of absorption and creativity. Inspired by this thought Sanskriti created this museum which houses objects made by some of the finest craftspersons who have visited the Kendra from different parts of India. Using their distinctive traditions and techniques, they created objects that are displayed in the museum and elsewhere within the complex.The museum has a well-documented display of India’s terracotta tradition. Complementing the museum are residential faclities and working space for craftspersons where one can sometimes get an opportunity to see them at work.
Swatantrata Sangram Sanghrahalya
Open: 1000-1700; Closed: Friday.
A definite stop for all those who wish to know more about the sweat, toil and blood that went into India’s struggle for Independence. Run by the Archaeological Survey of India, the museum is 100m beyond a left turn after Chatta Chowk near the Red Fort in Old Delhi. It traces India’s history from the colonial period and focuses on the freedom movement and its leading lights. A comprehensive collection of photographs, paintings, maps, and bronzes makes for an interesting and educative experience. This is an excellent way to tell your kids about their country and the price our forefathers have paid for the freedom we enjoy today.
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