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For an ancient land like India, people have carried history and culture as a reverence since ages. Museums are one best way to explore the major developments and milestones India went through. Depending on the state you are visiting and the part of history you wish to unveil, there are multiple state museums in India to explore.With each state across the country featuring its native museum showcasing the nation’s lengthy past, getting to know more becomes easier. These state museums offer a window into India’s ancient civilizations, colonial past, and post-independence developments.
Top 10 State Museums In India
With 14,000+ museums, shortlisting the best state museums in India to visit requires proper planning and a curated itinerary.
1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, CSMVS in Maharashtra is one of the premier museums that attracts history buffs. The museum was established on January 10, 1922, and hosts a wide range of artefacts found in India. There are three primary sections in the museum i.e., Art, Archaeology and Natural History. In the art section, you get a closer look at miniature paintings, decorative art, and textiles that depict the rich history of India. The archaeology section houses artefacts from the Indus Valley Civilisation and the Gupta and Chalukya periods, and an exhibit showcasing the coins from the past.
Location: 159 – 161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Timing: 10:15 AM – 06:00 PM
Entry Fees: ₹ 85 for Indian adults and ₹ 500 for foreign tourists
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2. Indian Museum
Photo: Apurv013 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Stepping inside the Indian Museum in Kolkata is like stepping back in time. It’s one of the historical state museums in India, dating back to 1814. It’s the oldest and largest museum in the country. Divided into six sections, the museum houses exhibits specialising in Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, and Economic Botany. The main attractions inside the museum are the Ashoka Pillar, Egyptian mummies, fossils, and the extensive collection of Mughal paintings. Make sure to stop and soak in the Bharhut Gallery which gives a glimpse into the Indian sculptures.
Location: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
Timings: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Entry fees: ₹ 20 for Indian adults and ₹500 for foreign tourists
3. Government Museum
Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons
The famous Government Museum in Tamil Nadu, known as Madras Museum previously, was established in 1851. Some of the main attractions in the museum include archaeological findings, numismatic collections and Roman antiquities. One of the most popular galleries inside the museum is the Bronze Gallery, showcasing a rich variety of bronze collections from the past civilisations and dynasties in India, including the Chola, Pallava, and Vijayanagara periods. If you like viewing sculptures in museums, visit the Amravati Gallery which is filled with different kinds of Buddhist sculptures.
Location: Government Maternity Hospital, Pantheon Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (All days except Fridays)
Entry Fees: ₹ 15 for Indian adults and ₹250 for foreign tourists
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4. National Museum
Photo: Miya.m / Wikimedia Commons
If you are in the capital city of India, don’t miss out on exploring the National Museum in the state. Built on August 15, 1949, the museum is home to 17,000+ paintings, making it one of the most extensive ones you will come across. The collections, spread across different eras and periods, offer a glimpse into the prehistoric art that belongs to India. The Harappan Gallery is its special attraction. You can find a diverse range of artefacts and sculptures from the Indus Valley Civilization, the Maurya, Shunga, and Gupta periods here.
Location: Janpath Rd, Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Delhi 110011
Timings: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday), Closed on Mondays
Entry Fees: ₹20 for Indian adults, ₹650 for foreign tourists
5. Salar Jung Museum
Photo: Tejas.limbasiya / Wikimedia Commons
The Salar Jung Museum in Telangana was constructed back in 1951 and is one of the largest one-man collections of antiques in the world. It plays a significant role in portraying the country’s history and significance to the world. There are rare manuscripts and art exhibits, out of which the most notable exhibits in the museum include the Veiled Rebecca, an exquisite marble statue, the Musical Clock, and the Jade Room. There is a dedicated European section displaying art from their artists.
Location: Darulshifa, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (All days except Fridays)
Entry Fees: ₹ 20 for Indian adults and ₹ 500 for foreign tourists
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6. State Museum
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the popular state museums in India is the State Museum in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The museum was built in 1963 and houses artefacts that date from prehistoric times to modern times. It’s alluring to know that it’s built inside the famous Kaiserbagh Palace. From bronzes to ancient sculptures and paintings, the State Museum hosts natural and real specimens that were restored and put up for display. One of the most popular exhibits is their Egyptian gallery where you can find rare mummies and a designated arms and armoury section.
Location: Narhi, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001
Timings: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM (All days except Mondays)
Entry Fees: ₹ 5 for Indian adults and ₹ 50 for foreign tourists
7. Albert Hall Museum
Photo: Abhishek Chaudhary / Wikimedia Commons
Regarded as the oldest museum in Rajasthan, the Albert Hall Museum was established in 1887 and offers a closer look into Indo-Saracenic architecture. The highlight of this museum is its rich collection of artefacts. There are exhibits dedicated to miniature paintings, art, pottery and colourful crystal works too. Their Egyptian exhibit that hosts a mummy is from the Ptolemaic period. This stands out as a major attraction inside the museum besides their musical instruments and textiles section.
Location: Ram Niwas Garden, Ashok Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302007
Timings: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM; 07:00 PM – 09:30 PM
Entry Fees: ₹ 40 for Indian adults and ₹ 300 for foreign tourists
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8. Odisha State Museum
Photo: Hemant_sahu_Raj / Wikimedia Commons
The Odisha State Museum, one of the famous state museums in India, is known for its unique archaeology gallery. Built in 1932, the major highlights are its vast collection of manuscripts, art, paintings, armour, inscriptions, and coins. The interesting part is the diversity of the period collection in the museum. You will find items from ancient to mediaeval times. The Manuscripts Gallery displays palm-leaf manuscripts, and the Epigraphy Gallery showcases ancient inscriptions. The museum has a rich collection of tribal and folk art.
Location: State Museum, Kalpana Square, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751014
Timings: 10:30 AM-05:30 PM (except Monday and Sunday)
Entry Fees: ₹10 for Indian adults and ₹100 for foreign tourists
9. Bihar Museum
Photo: Shivam Setu / Wikimedia Commons
Another popular and well-equipped state museum is the Bihar Museum, located in Patna. The museum was opened to the public in 2015 partially where the visitors could explore certain galleries and exhibits including the main entrance area, the children’s museum and their orientation theatre. The complete museum was opened to the public in 2017. The most popular exhibits in the museum include archaeology, contemporary art and regional art. These showcase the talent of the local artisans in the state. The main objective behind the museum’s construction was to keep Bihar’s history in place.
Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bailey Rd, Patna, Bihar 800001
Timings: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM (closed on Monday)
Entry Fees: ₹100 for Indians and ₹ 500 for foreign tourists.
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10. Folklore Museum
Photo: Pratheepps / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Located in Mysuru, the Folklore Museum is an underrated state museum that primarily houses the local arts and crafts collections from leading artists from across the state of Karnataka. The museum was founded in 1968 and stationed inside the University of Mysore in their Manasagangothri campus. There are 6500+ folklore exhibits in the museum at the entrance. There are sections in which the entire gallery is divided depending on the specific folklore, including large dolls, folklife, literature and art. You can engage in photography inside the museum to capture the unique designs and the influence of art and folklore.
Location: 8J7F+92Q, Manasa Gangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka 570006
Timings: 10:15 AM – 01:15 PM; 02:30 PM – 05:00 PM (Sunday closed)
Entry Fees: ₹ 100 per person.
State museums in India are a treasure trove of knowledge and a time-travelling trick that takes you to prehistoric times in India. With so many available across the country, the key is to plan and choose the ones you wish to visit depending on the exhibits that are popular there. With TripXL, your next trip to the museum can be streamlined with prompt bookings for your next vacation.
Cover Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
