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HARAPPAN
CIVILISATION
This gallery was jointly set up by the Archaeological Survey
of India and the National Museum. It has a rich collection of
a large number of artifacts from the sites of Harappan
Civilisation. The collection includes pottery, seals, tablets,
weights and measures, jewellery, terracotta figurines, toys,
etc. It also has copper tools from Harappan sites like axes,
chisels, knives, etc. About 3,800 objects have been displayed
in the modernised Harappan Gallery from the National Museum
collection. This Gallery also has 1,025 excavated artifacts
belonging to the Indian Harappan site of the Archaeological
Survey of India collection. |
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ARCHAEOLOGY
A prestigious collection of approximately 800 sculptures have been displayed in
the Archaeological Galleries on the ground floor, the rotundas on the ground,
first and second floors and around the museum building.
The sculptures displayed are mostly in
stone, bronze and terracotta, dating from the 3rd century B.C., through the 19th
century A.D., representing all major regions, periods and schools of art.
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BUDDHIST ART
An added attraction is the
gallery on Buddhism: A spiritual journey, with the focus on the sacred relics of
the Buddha (5th-4th century B.C.) unearthed from Piprehwa, Distt. Basti and outstanding specimens of
Buddhist Art as a global movement, is illustrated through 84 exhibits in stone,
bronze, terracotta, stucco, wooden sculptures and painted scrolls or
Thankas from
Nepal, Tibet, Central Asia, Myanmar, Java and Combodia, representing the three
principal Buddhist forms - Hinayana, Mahayana,
Vajrayana. Of special
importance are the images of Kapardin Buddha from Ahichchhatra,
Buddha - pada (footprints) from Nagarjunakonda, Distt. Guntur
in Andhra Pradesh and Buddha's life scenes from Sarnath in Uttar
Pradesh as well as ritualistic objects from the trans-Himalayan reign.
These objects stimulate a sense of devotion, dedication and
love for humanity. |
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INDIAN MINIATURE PAINTINGS
The Museum has in its possession
the rich heritage of Indian Miniature paintings. These belong to major styles
such as, Mughal, Deccani, Central Indian, Rajasthani, Pahari and many other
sub-styles relating to the period from 1000 A.D. to 1900 A.D. It also includes
paintings on palm leaf, cloth, wood, leather, painted manuscripts, covers on
wood and hardboard and Thankus on canvas, etc. The major theme of these
miniatures are Jain Kalpasutra, the epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata,
Bhagwatpurana, Durgasaptasati, Jaideva's Geetgobind, Ragamala, Baramasa,
Panchatantra and Vishnu Purana. A few Indo-lslamic manuscripts such as Shahnama
and Baburnama are also noteworthy. The portraits of medieval kings, rulers and
saints are also part of this large heritage. The gallery displays selected 352
exhibits for public view.
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EVOLUTION OF INDIAN SCRIPTS AND COINS
 In the gallery, 26
large-sized well-lit glass transparencies are on show narrating the
wonderful story of the development of various Indian scripts from Brahmi and
coins.
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DECORATIVE ARTS (two galleries)
The gallery brings to light for
the first time 232 exclusive decorative arts artifacts, which
are dated from 18th-20th century. All these utilitarian and decorative
objects are made with different material, i.e. ivory, jade, glass, wood, marble,
metal and ceramic. A magnificent ivory temple shrine, finest enamelled and
filigree work in silver, exquisite designed silver huqqa, wooden peacock and
copper inscribed degcha (cooking vessel) are the few important pieces in the
gallery.
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JEWELLERY
The specially designed gallery,
housing 202 items from the 3rd millennium B.C. to 20th century A.D. in
chronological sequencers the first of its kind in the museums of India. The most
outstanding pieces include Indus jewellery, Taxila jewellery, Mugal and Islamic
jewellery, belts and buckles, decorative objects, necklaces, various types of
bracelets, armlets, bangles, enamels. South Indian jewellery, Navratan
ornaments, bridal, ceremonial and temple jewellery are exhibited in 27
showcases.
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MANUSCRIPTS (under renovation)
 The National Museum has an appreciable collection of
manuscripts in various languages and scripts covering a large number of
subjects. These manuscripts are a feast for curious eyes as they are written on
different types of materials such as parchment, birch bark, palm leaf, cloth,
paper, metals, etc. Aesthetic value and richness of the collection are quite
evident by their remarkable illuminations and charming illustrations. Dated
manuscripts elaborate Indian History with authoritative authenticity. Despite
being the resource of all mystic knowledge and learning, manuscripts of Indian
origin attract the viewers by various sizes of scrolls, different styles of
writing on palm leaves, golden letters on coloured background of paper and natural shaded beauty of birch bark
folios, while Arabic and Persian manuscripts mesmerise the Islamic world and
historians by the royal seals and dates on it. Holi Quran, Royal Farmans and
alluring treasure of illustrations are worth seeing. All the manuscripts
represent various religions and sects of the Indian subcontinent. The exhibits
cover the period of manuscripts from the 7th century to the 19th century. In
this gallery 1,500 manuscripts are proposed to be displayed.
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CENTRAL ASIAN ANTIQUITY
 Amongst or Non-Indian collections, which adorn the National
Museum, the Central Asian Arts Collection is the richest - both qualitatively and quantitatively. The
collection consists of some of the most outstanding wall paintings, painted silk banners, sculptures in wood,
stucco and terracotta, coins, porcelain and pottery objects, leather, grass and
fibre, precious items of gold and silver, religious and secular documents. The vast and varied collection was
excavated, explored and collected by Sir Aurel Stein, the foremost amongst the archaeological explorers of the early 20th century,
during three major expeditions carried out by him in 1900-1901, 1906-1908 and 1913-1916. This gallery includes 600 choicest
exhibits.
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COINS
 The gallery will display 1672 coins in a modernised
format. The collection of
coins in the National Museum is remarkable for its variety, rarity and
antiquity. The entire history of Indian coinage, starting from about 6th century
B.C. to the beginning of the 21 st century A.D., is well represented here along
with the dioramas depicting various techniques of coin production. It has in it
practically all Indian coins from the earliest bent bar, punch-marked coins to
those of Indian States, British India and post-independence coins. A study of
these currencies reveals how the Indian currency system developed from cowrie shells
to credit card; These coins are a rich and authentic source of
information on various aspects of Ancient, Medieval and Modern Indian
history. A record of political and economic changes, its narrative and aesthetic impact reflect the cultural effervescence in different
epochs in various regions of the country.
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PAINTINGS FROM TANJORE AND MYSORE
 This gallery presents the two famous schools of South
India-Tanjore and Mysore for viewers. The important themes are displayed in this
gallery :lndian mythology, stories from epics, various gods and goddesses. Fifty
paintings are on display which show a fine admixture of tradition and
spiritual aspect of Indian Art from South India. The technique, how to make a
Tanjore painting is also displayed with the help of seven pictures.
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INDIAN
TEXTILES
 The
textile gallery displays the fabulous and magnificent
collection of Indian traditional textiles of the later Mughal
period. One hundred and twenty-five choicest cotton, silk and
woollen textiles, which are beautifully woven, printed, dyed
and embroidered, have been displayed in the gallery. These
have been arranged according to the technique of manufacturing
and decoration. Among them special mention may be made of silk
and zari woven sari pallu of the mid-17th century from
Chanderi, printed and painted artistically designed cotton
coverlet of the 17th century from Golconda and a reconstructed
royal chamber illustrating various textiles in their
respective use. |
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PRE-COLUMBIAN
AND WESTERN ART
 Pre-Columbian
and Western Art collections were gifted mostly by Mrs. and Mr.
Nasli Heeramaneck of U.S.A. These art objects covered mostly
the pre-1492 A.D. period when Christopher Columbus unknowingly
reached this part of the world in search of the new sea route
to India and South-East Asia. In this gallery most of the
objects belong to Mexico, Peru, Maya, Inca, North-West coast
of America, Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador. Apart from
these some objects of Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and some
objects of Germany and France are also displayed in the
gallery. About 252 exhibits are on display. |
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WOOD
CARVING
 The
tradition of carving wood in India for architecture,
religious, utilitarian and decorative needs is well reflected
in the gallery of wood carving. With the help of a hundred and
twenty exhibits an attempt have been made to show various
techniques and vivid subjects, which illustrates all the
variety from architectural dwellings, doors, windows to
cotlegs, boxes and mirrors. Intricately carved Mandapa of a
Gujarat temple from the 16th 17th century A.D. is a very
important piece of the gallery. Beautifully carved door and
pillar from the Sun temple of Katarmal (dt Almora, Uttaranchal)
dated 13th century A.D. are on display in the Late Medieval
Gallery (ground floor) .This gallery includes 46 exhibits. |
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MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
 The
Museum has a large collection of musical instruments, both
folk and classical. The collection was donated to the Museum
by Mrs. Saran Rani Backliwal in 1980 and 1987. Most of the
Indian instruments belong to the period between the 17th-19th
centuries There are also a few 19th century Western
instruments. The objects have been divided into different
categories like string instruments (veena,
sitar, santur). Percussion instruments (tabla, dholak) and
wind instruments (flute, trumpet, etc.). There are 125 musical
instruments on display. |
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TRIBAL
LIFE-STYLE IN NORTH-EAST
 A
total of 327 excellent traditional exhibits such as dresses,
apparel, ornaments basketry, wood carvings and personal
adornments, etc., of several tribal groups inhabiting the land
of "seven sisters" are on view. |
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ARMS
AND ARMOUR
 The
Museum has one of the finest collections of Indian Arms and
Armour comprising edged weapons, projectiles, smashing
weapons, armour for men and animals, ornamental, sacrificial
and ritual weapons, fire arms and war accessories. The
collection is predominantly Mughal in addition to Maratha,
Sikh, Rajput and Hindu arms which are also well represented.
The Arms embellished with damascening, enamelling, filigree
work or those inscribed or studded with semi-precious and
precious stones are in the collection. This gallery has been
modernised by displaying 500 exhibits. |
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TEMPLE
CHARIOT (near the entrance gate of the Museum)
 The
octagonal chariot is made of saal, sagvan wood has five tiers
consisting of six wheels, beams around 425 carved panels,
brackets, angles, etc. weighing approximately 2,200 kgs. This
18th-19th century chariot, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is from
Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, South India. It illustrates various
Saiva and Vaishnava themes, i.e. Vishnu, Laxshmi-Narayan (Lord
Vishnu with his consort), Rama (one of the incarnations of
Lord Vishnu), Varaha (Boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu),
Narsimha (Lion and human incarnation of Lord Vishnu),
Venugopal (Krishna with flute), etc. It has been on view for
the public since December 2003. |
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The
National Museum keeps on setting up new Galleries and renovating
the old Galleries according to the requirements.
An
Added attraction to this museum is the newly setup Galleries
for Buddhist Art, Tantra Art, Paintings from Tanjore and
Mysore,
Tribal Life style of North-East India and Indian Textiles.
In
Tantra Art Gallery,there are 135 super creations of varying
Tantric Manifestations from different parts of India, Nepal
and Bhutan and Tibet including the cream of Shri Ajit Mokerjee
collection are exhibited. The objects cover a period from
the 10th century to early 20th century.
In
Buddhist Art Gallery, A total of 84 choicest exhibits
Sacred Relics of Buddha(5th century BC) unearthed from
Piprahwa,
Distt.Basti of UP, Thankas, Kapardina Buddha from Ahichchhatra
etc.
The
Gallery of Tribal Life Style of North-East India includes
a total of 327 excellent traditional exhibits of
dresses,appearls,ornaments,
basketry,wood carving and personal adornmentsetc. of several
tribal groups inhabiting the "Land of Seven Sisters"
are on view.
Indian
Textiles Gallery presents the sagacity of the Indian Weavers
through the ages.A variety of excellent textiles cotton, silk
and woollen covering the entire length and breadth of the
country.
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