Daulat Khana, Ajmer

Daulat Khana is a huge rectangular palace, which has now been converted into a Government Museum. The museum houses a large collection of Mughal and Rajput armoury apart from delicate sculptures of the region. The palace served as residence to the Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir, between 1613 and 1616, during their visit to the Dargah Sharif.

The museum, surrounded by two thick walls, has a board placed outside, which reads, Sir Thomas Roe, the English ambassador who was first received by the Emperor here. Rajput and Mughal armours, along with Hindu statues dating back to the 8th century, form the prominent exhibits of the museum.

An idol of Goddess Kali placed here is another notable piece adorning the museum. The museum which was established in 1908 under the initiative of Lord Curzon and Sir John Marshall is also known by the name "Magazine”.

It has a huge collection of scriptures belonging to Pushkar, Adhai Din Ka Jhopra, Baghera, Pisangan, Harshnath (Sikar) Bharatpur, Sirohi, Arthuna and Osian. The museum also houses pre-historic relics and casts of steel, with their photographs, which were discovered at Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley.

The museum is open between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Saturday to Thursday) except on public holidays. The entry fee is Rs. 5 for Indian citizens and Rs. 10 for foreign nationals.