Treasures of art and history await you inside the National Museum. This premier museum of India has an impressive collection from across the country and the world. Let me tell you about its remarkable beginning.
In 1947, an exhibition of Indian antiquities was held in London. It was sponsored by the Royal Academy of Arts. After the exhibition, the objects returned to India. They were displayed in the state rooms of Rashtrapati Bhawan in 1948. On August 15, 1949, the National Museum was formally opened. Shri R. C. Rajagopalachari, the Governor General of India inaugurated it. It was announced that the museum would stay in the Rashtrapati Bhawan until a permanent building was built.
Many participants in the London exhibition donated their items. These gifts became the start of the National Museum collection. The Art Purchase Committee helped the collections grow through consistent efforts. Shri Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the National Museum building on May 12, 1955. The new building opened on December 18, 1960.
Today, the National Museum has over 210000 art objects. These represent 5000 years of Indian art and craftsmanship. The collection includes sculptures in stone, bronze, terracotta, and wood. There are also many miniature paintings and manuscripts. You will also find coins, arms and armour, jewellery, textiles, costumes, and anthropological objects. The National Museum also has antiquities from Central Asia. Pre-Columbian artifacts form two non-Indian collections.
One remarkable item is the Dancing Girl from the Harappan culture. This figure shows the skill of ancient artists in metallurgy. They knew how to cast alloys using the lost wax process. The statue shows a young woman with large eyes, a flat nose, and curly hair. She is in a dancing pose with armlets and bangles. Although only six inches tall, it captures the dancer’s youthful charm.
Another significant piece is the terracotta bull figurine. These figurines were common in Harappan culture. This handmade bull figurine has minute details. It was covered with a thin cream slip. A garland appears around the bull’s neck.
The Railing Pillar Depicting Asita’s Visit is also special. In early Buddhism, the Buddha was worshipped through symbols. These included footprints, the Bodhi Tree, and the Dhamma Chakra. This pillar shows the baby Siddhartha with footprints on cloth held by Asita. Sage Asita prophesied that Siddhartha would become a great king or monk.
The National Museum also has the Inscribed sword of Tipu Sultan. The hilt is damascened in gold with floral designs. The steel blade has verses from the Quran. It also has Tipu Sultan’s name and his capital, Srirangapatnam.
Another sword is the Sword of Aurangzeb. The blade is inscribed with Arabic verses in golden letters. It is decorated with figures of fish, a tiger, a deer, and floral designs. The hilt has ivory pieces decorated with floral patterns.
The National Museum is more than just a building. It is a treasure trove of India’s multilayered history and multicultural heritage. As you explore, remember the journey of these artifacts. They connect us to the past and inspire the future.