Freeindia > Tourism > Museums Of India > Calcutta
Indian Museum
The Indian Museum is India's first and oldest museum. Originally part of the Asiatic Society, it opened to public in 1875. Here, in the Bharhut Room, Sunga art is dramatically represented by the railings gateway that have been reassembled to form the outer wall encompassing a stupa. These are the remains of a Buddhist stupa discovered in 1873 in Bhardut, a village in Madhya Pradesh, Carved in red sandstone, quarried from the Vindhyas, it is believed to be similar in scale and design to the great Sanchi stupa. An inscription on a pillar of the gateway informs us that this was constructed in the 2nd century BC, during the Sunga Period.
The railings are decorated with bas reliefs depicting both religious and secular themes. Some are figurative while others are narrative panels, illustrating scenes from the Jatakas and stories from the Buddha's former lives.
Freeindia > Tourism > Museums Of India > Calcutta
The 500 reliefs are claimed to be one of the most important remains of the post Mauryan period. Lables of the panels make them the earliest inscribed sculptures of India.
India's best collection of Gandhara sculptures is here with a large number of Buddhist relics from the Mahayana period. The Numismatic Gallery is also one of the best in the country, displaying coins of great craftsmanship, ranging right from the 5th century BC punch marked coins, through the Gupta period to Mughal period.
Indian Museum
27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road,
Calcutta
Tel: 2495699 Fax: 2495696
Freeindia > Tourism > Museums Of India > Calcutta
Central Museum
This is specifically ethnographic museum and has on view objects and specimens related to the different tribal and other communities of India. The collections on view are especially significant because of the diversity of subjects and material available.
Central Museum
Anthropological Survey of India
2 Ripon Street, Calcutta
Tel: 213159
Freeindia > Tourism > Museums Of India > Calcutta
Ashutosh Museum Of Indian Art
On display are basalt sculptures from Pala and Sena periods with its distinctive blend of Hindu and Buddhist styles, as also sculpted clay panels from temples of the Vishnupur region.
There are also interesting collections of patachitras, or painted scrolls from Bengal, playing cards, palm leaf manuscripts, ritual objects, toys and dolls. The textiles include embroidered kanthas, the patchwork and quilting textile technique, and saris from Baluchar with their quaint figurative designs.
Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art
University of Calcutta, Centenary
Buildings
Calcutta
Freeindia > Tourism > Museums Of India > Calcutta
Victoria Memorial Museum
The impressive Victoria Memorial houses a collection of the British colonial period. Visitors are greeted by a life-size statue of young Victoria (by Sir Thomas Brock). There are enormous oil paintings in the Royal Gallery, illustrating episodes from Queen Victoria's long, eventful life and reign and a large painting titled "The Entry of Kind Edward VII into Jaipur in 1876" (by a Russian artist).
Also on display are books on the 'Raj', sculptures of Clive and other Governor Generals and a superb collection of paintings.
Victoria Memorial Museum
Queen's Way, Calcutta
Tel: 445154, 433850
Victoria Memorial Museum, Calcutta
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