National Museum - It Presents Two Lakhs Objects Of A Diverse Nature

NATIONAL MUSEUM

AT

NEW DELHI

The National Museum, New Delhi, as we see it today, has an interesting beginning. The blueprint for establishing the National Museum in Delhi was prepared by the Maurice Gwyer Committee in May 1946. An Exhibition of Indian Art, consisting of selected artefacts from various museums of India was organized by the Royal Academy, London with the cooperation of Government of India and Britain. 

The Exhibition went on display in the galleries of Burlington House, London during the winter months of 1947-48. It was decided to display the same collection in Delhi, before the return of exhibits to their respective museums. An exhibition was organized in the the RashtrapatiBhawan (President’s residence), New Delhi in 1949, which turned out to be a great success. This event proved responsible for the creation of the National Museum.

The success of this Exhibition led to the idea that advantage should be taken of this magnificent collection to build up the nucleus collection of the National Museum. State Governments, Museum authorities and private donors, who had participated in the exhibition, were approached for the gift or loan of artefacts, and most of them responded generously. 

On August 15, 1949, the National Museum, New Delhi, was inaugurated in the Rashtrapati Bhawan by Shri R.C. Rajagopalachari, the Governor-General of India. The foundation of the present building was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, on May 12, 1955. The first phase of the National Museumbuilding was formally inaugurated by Dr. SarvepalliRadhakrishnan, the Vice President of India, on December 18, 1960. The second phase of the building was completed in 1989.

While the Museum continued to grow its collection through gifts  that were sought painstakingly, artefacts were collected through its Arts Purchase Committee. The Museum presently holds approximately 2,00,000 objects of a diverse nature,  both Indian as well as foreign, and its holdings cover   a time span of more than five thousand years of Indian cultural heritage.

The National Museum was initially looked after by the Director General of Archaeology until 1957, when the Ministry of Education, Government of India, declared it a separate institution and placed it under its own direct control. At present, the National Museum is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

• To collect art objects of Historical, Cultural and Artistic significance for the purpose to display, protection, preservation and interpretation (research).
• To disseminate knowledge about the significance of the objects in respect of history, culture and artistic excellence and achievements.
• To serve as cultural centre for enjoyment and interaction of the people in artistic and cultural activity.
• To serve as epitome of national identity.

The National Museum welcomes all visitors with special needs for whom visits can be organised with prior arrangement. Emails may be sent requesting assistance for visits at least 48hours before the proposed visit to rige.shiba6@gmail.com.

Wheel chairs which may be obtained at the reception on demand. It is encouraged that prior booking may be done for a comfortable and enjoyable visit. The museum is upgrading its facilities for better access and remains committed to all visitors who wish to visit.

Training opportunities to the museum personnel, permission to photograph the objects for reproduction and publication and access to the reserve collection and Library are provided to the museum professionals, scholars and the general public. Photographs of art objects are also made available to general public on payment. Advice on identification of art objects owned by individual and institutions is offered by experts with prior appointment. Free guided tours to the galleries and film shows in the auditorium are arranged everyday.

Admission	10 am to 6 pm
The Adult Ticket costs	Rs. 20/-
Foreigners Ticket costs	Rs. 650/- (including Audio Guide).
For Students	Students upto class 12th have free entry ticket (with I-cards).