Art Museum
National Museum
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
National Museum is an art museum in New Delhi, India.
About National Museum
Overview
The National Museum in New Delhi, also known as the National Museum of India, stands as one of the largest and most significant museums in the country. Established in 1949, it serves as a premier repository of Indian cultural heritage, housing a diverse collection of over 200,000 objects. These artifacts span a timeline of more than 5,000 years, ranging from prehistoric tools to modern works of art, and include items of both Indian and foreign origin. The museum is not only a center for exhibition but also hosts the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology, which offers master's and doctoral programs in relevant fields.
History & Founding
The conceptualization of the National Museum began with the Gwyer Committee in May 1946. Its origins are deeply tied to a major exhibition of Indian art organized by the Royal Academy in London during the winter of 1947-48, which utilized artifacts from various Indian museums. Following the exhibition's success in London, the collection was displayed at the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's Residence) in New Delhi in 1949. This temporary exhibition proved so successful that it catalyzed the formal creation of the museum. On August 15, 1949, the National Museum was officially inaugurated at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by C. Rajagopalachari, the Governor-General of India. Initially managed by the Director General of Archaeology, it became a separate institution under the Ministry of Education in 1957 and is currently under the Ministry of Culture.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The museum's collection is vast, with approximately 200,000 objects, though only about 6-7% are displayed at any given time. Key highlights include the Bronze Chariot from Daimabad (Late Harappan period), the world's largest collection of miniature paintings (over 17,000 works spanning 900 years from schools like Mughal, Rajasthani, and Pahari), and a Manuscript gallery holding over 14,000 texts. The Coins Gallery features over 130,000 coins dating back to the 6th century BC. Other significant sections include the Buddhist Art gallery (housing sacred relics of the Buddha), the Decorative Arts gallery (16th-20th century), the Textiles gallery, and the Pre-Columbian art collection donated by Mr. & Mrs. Heeramaneek.
Significance & Legacy
The National Museum is a critical institution for the preservation and study of India's artistic and historical legacy. It acts as a central hub for museology and art history education through its affiliated institute. The museum's role in consolidating artifacts from the 1947-48 London exhibition and subsequent donations from state governments and private donors established a comprehensive national narrative. Its galleries provide a chronological journey through Indian civilization, from the Indus Valley Civilization to the medieval and modern periods. The institution's commitment to displaying a rotating selection of its vast reserve ensures that a wide array of cultural treasures remains accessible to the public and scholars.
Location & Context
Located in the heart of New Delhi, the National Museum is situated at the intersection of Janpath Road and Maulana Azad Road, near the Central Secretariat. This strategic location places it amidst important government buildings and cultural landmarks. The museum is accessible via the Central Secretariat metro station and is relatively close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The surrounding area, characterized by its colonial-era architecture and wide avenues, complements the museum's status as a national monument. The site serves as a major cultural destination for both domestic and international visitors seeking to explore the breadth of Indian heritage.
Plan your visit
National Museum