International Museums Day 2022: 6 Famous Museums in North India

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Earlier known as 'Prince of Wales Museum', it was built in 1900s. This museum was started as a memorial to mark the visit of Prince of Wales (later King George V).

The museum building is a Grade 1 Heritage site in Mumbai and is built in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

This cultural institution has around 60,000 artefacts and each collection is classified into groups: Sculptures, Natural History, Miniature Paintings, Chinese and Japanese Antiques, etc.

Shivaji Maharaj Museum was created to showcase the rich heritage of India. Today, the institution conducts many fun and educative activities which makes your visit more interesting.

Photo Courtesy: Bernard Gagnon

Indian Museum

Indian Museum is one of the earliest and largest museums in Asia. Started in 1814 at Kolkata, this museum is one of the famous museums in North India.

It was created by the Asiatic society in the aim of developing art and culture of progressing India.

Indian Museum has Archaeology Section, Art Section, Geological Section, Zoological Section, Botany Section and Art Section.

It is also a learning centre which conducts training programmes, multi cultural activities, exhibitions and so on.

Photo Courtesy: NahidSultan

Shankar's International Dolls Museum

International Dolls Museum in Delhi was created by K.Shankar Pillai, a political cartoonist in 1957. A doll gifted by a Hungarian diplomat, made Shankar collect dolls from different countries.

Situated in Children's Trust Building, the museum has a large collection of dolls. The museum was materialised with the help of Indira Gandhi.

Today, the International Dolls Museum has around 6,500 exhibits collected from different parts of the world.

Many foreign diplomats and prominent India personalities have made a contribution to this museum in India.

Photo Courtesy: Shamikhfaraz

Calico Museum

The Calico Museum is a textile museum situated in Ahmedabad. It has wide collection of textiles of several types and origins.

The museum was founded by Gautham Sarabhai and his sister Gira Sarabhai due to the flourishing textile industry at that time.

Earlier housed in Calico Mills, it was shifted to Sarabhai House after the collection increased.
It has the textiles of Mughal era, embroideries of 19th century, South Indian bronzes, temple hangings, and many more.

Calico Museum is one of the major tourist attractions in Ahmedabad.

Photo Courtesy: Calico Museum.com

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum set up in 1855 is the oldest museum in Mumbai. Dedicated to decorative and industrial art, this is a famous museum in India.

At first it was established as the 'Central Museum of Natural History, Economy, Geology, Industry and Arts'. Later in 1871, a new building was built in Jijamata Udhyan in Byculla.

The Museum has many archaeological collections, clay models, photographs of Mumbai city, etc.

It was renamed in the honour of Dr. Bhau Daji Lad, who has made a significant contribution to development of the museum.

Photo Courtesy: Muk.khan

National Rail Museum

National Rail Museum has a collection of trains of different time period in India. The museum also has toy train ride which takes the visitors around the site.

Patiala Train Monorail Train ways, Saloon of Maharaja of Mysore, Electric Locomotive Sir Leslie Wilson, etc. are the trains found in this museum in Delhi.

It also has indoor exhibits and outdoor rail heritage of India. A visit to this museum will be an interesting one.

Photo Courtesy: Miya.m