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The top 10 museums in India offer a glimpse into the country’s cultural heritage with preserved historic sculptures, artefacts, and art. The popular museums allow visitors to learn about the country’s regional traditions and eras. Some of the museums in India are housed within historical buildings, offering you both a cultural and historical experience. These historical museums in India are valuable sources of education and research to any Indian cultural enthusiast. You can visit the top museums in India to have a memorable experience and an in-depth understanding of the complexities of Indian culture.
Top 10 Museums In India
You can visit several famous museums to learn more about Indian culture and history. Here is a list of the top 10 museums in India:
1. National Museum
Photo: Nomu420 / Wikimedia Commons
The National Museum is one of the largest museums in India. It has a vast collection of prehistoric and modern art. It is one of the top museums in India which has artefacts from the Mughal era and Indus Valley Civilisation, showcasing various types of paintings, sculptures, and more. While visiting the National Museum, you will see the museum’s highlight, the Dancing Girl, a significant piece of art from the early Harappan period.
Location: New Delhi
Opening Date: 15th August 1949
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹20 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum was formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. It is one of the museums offering an extensive collection of European paintings, Chinese porcelain, and Mughal-era artworks. The Museum’s architectural design is an attraction with a Mughal and Moorish design. It is easily accessible due to its strategic location and is surrounded by other attractions in India.
Location: Mumbai
Opening Date: 10th January 1922
Dimensions: 12,000 m2
Timings: 10:15 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹150 for Indians and ₹700 for foreigners
3. Indian Museum
Photo: Ganesh Mohan T / Wikimedia Commons
The Indian Museum is one of Asia’s largest and oldest museums and offers exhibits of coins, fossils, Egyptian mummies, and skeletons. It is one of India’s most diverse historical museums and is a bridge that brings people together as a society. You can visit various sections of the Museum, like economic botany, geology, anthropology and archaeology, to better understand Indian history. Its centralised location makes it easily accessible to visitors in India.
Location: Kolkata
Opening Date: 2nd February 1814
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹20-75 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners
4. Salar Jung Museum
Photo: Tejas.limbasiya / Wikimedia Commons
The Salar Jung is one of the most popular museums in India, and it is known for its exhibits of paintings, sculptures, antiques, and manuscripts. All the exhibits in this historical Museum in India were gathered by Nawab Mir Yousuf, making it a significant one-person collection worldwide. The Salar Jung Museum reflects the rich history of the Nizams of Hyderabad, as it was originally a private collection of the Salar Jung family. The collections include 9,000 manuscripts, 42,000 art objects, and 60,000 printed books across its 38 galleries.
Location: Hyderabad
Opening Date: 16th December 1951
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: ₹20 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners
5. Government Museum
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
The Government Museum is one of the most popular museums in India, and it has an interesting architectural design. It houses various artefacts from South India dynasties like Vijayanagara, Hoysala, Chola, and Chalukya, which offer a deep understanding of the region’s history. This museum offers diverse galleries covering art, numismatics, natural history, archaeology, and anthropology. The best time to visit the Government Museum is from November to March.
Location: Chennai
Opening Date: Opened officially in 1851
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: ₹15 for Indians and ₹250 for foreigners
6. National Gallery Of Modern Art (NGMA)
Photo: Pardeep / Wikimedia Commons
The National Gallery of Modern Art mainly focuses on Indian art, including sculptures, paintings, and graphic prints. The exhibits in this famous Museum in India are all done by renowned Indian artists, showing the evolution of art throughout history. It is strategically situated in several major locations in India, making it the perfect destination to have a diverse art experience. The best time to visit the National Gallery of Modern Art is between November and February, as the weather is favourable and perfect for exploring.
Location: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
Opening Date: 29th March 1954
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹20 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners
7. Victoria Memorial Hall
Photo: Samitkumarsinha / Wikimedia Commons
Victoria Memorial Hall is one of the most famous museums in India, with extensive gardens and white marble architecture. This Museum is dedicated to Queen Victoria, making it one of the historical museums in India. While visiting, you can explore the sculptures, paintings, arms, and royal portraits in the numerous galleries of the Museum. The best time to visit the Victoria Memorial Hall is from October to March due to the cooler weather and low temperatures, which are perfect for outdoor activities.
Location: Kolkata
Opening Date: 28th December 1921
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹30 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners
8. Calico Museum Of Textiles
Photo: Raysonho / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Calico Museum offers a wide range of hand-woven textiles, including double-ikat fabrics, Kashmiri shawls, and finished pieces, which show the evolution of embroidery techniques throughout history. You will have a guided tour providing detailed information on several textiles’ cultural significance. As the guided tours are limited to a certain capacity, you should book in advance to secure your space. Calico Museum is one of the best museums in India, and to protect the delicate textiles, you are prohibited from taking photographs.
Location: Ahmedabad
Opening Date: 1949
Timings: 10:30 AM -12:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Entry Fee: N/A
9. Crafts Museum
Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
Crafts is one of the top museums in India that houses over 30,000 unique and eye-catching art pieces. It was established in 1956 and is filled with diverse techniques and styles of art from local Indian artists. While you visit the Crafts Museum, you can view live demonstrations of artisans showing their processes and techniques for various designs. The best time to visit the Crafts Museum is between October and March, which offers comfortable temperatures and favourable weather.
Location: New Delhi
Opening Date: Officially opened in 1952
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: ₹20 for Indians and ₹200 for foreigners
10. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Photo: Ronakshah1990 / Wikimedia Commons
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad is the oldest and one of the historical museums in India. The museum includes many artefacts, including maps, photographs, clay models, and art pieces, which are perfect for you to experience the cultural diversity of India. It also offers guided tours, which are crucial for giving you the historical meaning and insights into the artefacts. The best time to visit the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum is between October and May, signifying the onset of winter and summer, perfect for exploring.
Location: Mumbai
Opening Date: 2nd May 1872
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹10 for Indians and ₹100 for foreigners
Museums in Indian museums offer various historical and cultural experiences with various artefacts on display. You can gather extensive knowledge in India during some of these museums’ guided tours. Plan a trip with TripXL and secure a memorable and educative experience in the best museums in India. Explore the top museums in India and experience the best amalgamation of history and culture.
Cover Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
