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Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro - currently in National Museum, Delhi

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India's top 10 museums & must-see artifacts

Looking for best Indian Museums! India is home to some of the most fascinating museums, preserving its cultural heritage, history, and scientific advancements. These museums house rare artifacts, ancient relics, and significant historical collections that offer deep insights into India’s past. Here is an overview of India’s best museum and some of the best artifacts it host.

The National Museum in New Delhi is India's premier museum, offering a journey through 5,000 years of history. Spanning multiple floors, its galleries contain treasures from the prehistoric era, the Indus Valley Civilization, Buddhist art, medieval artifacts, and colonial-period relics. This is undoubtedly the top contender in the list of best Indian Museums.

National Museum

Established: 1949 
Location: Janpath, New Delhi
Wiki link – National Museum of India – Wikipedia

The National Museum in New Delhi is India’s premier museum, offering a journey through 5,000 years of history. Spanning multiple floors, its galleries contain treasures from the prehistoric era, the Indus Valley Civilization, Buddhist art, medieval artifacts, and colonial-period relics. This is undoubtedly the top contender in the list of best Indian Museums.

The museum is home to an extensive collection of sculptures, textiles, manuscripts, jewelry, weapons, and decorative arts. Each section of the museum is meticulously arranged to narrate India’s cultural, artistic, and historical evolution.

 

Prized collection of National museum, one of the best Indian museums.

Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro

A powerful bronze figurine that captures the essence of  civilization.

Ashokan Lion Capital

The national emblem of India, originally from Sarnath.

miniature paintings of Udaipur showcasing Rajasthani art. These paintings often depict historical scenes, royal portraits, and nature, making them ideal souvenirs for art lovers.

Miniature Paintings Collection

 A stunning display of Mughal, Rajput, and Deccan school artworks.

Weapons of Rajput and Mughal Warriors

Exquisite swords, shields, and battle armor from different periods.

2nd in the list of India's top 10 museums, Indian Museum in Kolkata is the oldest and largest museum in India, housing a vast array of artifacts across six primary sections: Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, Art, and Economic Botany. Its collection ranges from ancient fossils to rare manuscripts and stunning artistic masterpieces. The museum’s Egyptian section, with its mummies and hieroglyphic inscriptions, attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Indian Museum

Established: 1814
Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata
Wiki Link: Indian Museum – Wikipedia

2nd in the list of best Indian Museums, Indian Museum in Kolkata is the oldest and largest museum in India, housing a vast array of artifacts across six primary sections: Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, Art, and Economic Botany. Its collection ranges from ancient fossils to rare manuscripts and stunning artistic masterpieces. The museum’s Egyptian section, with its mummies and hieroglyphic inscriptions, attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Egyptian Mummy

A powerful bronze figurine that captures the essence of  civilization.

Buddha’s Relics

Sacred remains of Gautama Buddha found in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh.

Fossilized Tree Trunks

Ancient remnants of trees, dating back over 200 million years.

Gandhara Sculptures

Greek-influenced Buddhist sculptures of two artistic traditions.

3rd in the list of India's top 10 museums, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, this grand Indo-Saracenic-style museum showcases a mix of Indian and international exhibits. The museum covers everything from ancient Indian heritage to colonial-era artifacts. It also has a remarkable collection of Asian and European art, along with a dedicated maritime history section.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)

Established: 1922
Location: Fort, Mumbai
Wiki Link: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya – Wikipedia

3rd in the list of best Indian Museums formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, this grand Indo-Saracenic-style museum showcases a mix of Indian and international exhibits. The museum covers everything from ancient Indian heritage to colonial-era artifacts. It also has a remarkable collection of Asian and European art, along with a dedicated maritime history section.

Wagh Nakh

The legendary weapon used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Ancient Coin Collection

Features rare coins from the Maurya, Gupta, and Mughal dynasties.

The Bombay Bowls

Ancient Buddhist relics found in Maharashtra.

Ivory and Textile Exhibits

Showcases the luxury and craftsmanship of Indian royalty.

The Salar Jung Museum is one of the world's largest collections amassed by a single person, Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III. This museum features artifacts from India, Europe, China, Persia, and Egypt, covering a vast range of historical and artistic periods.

Salar Jung Museum

Established: 1951
Location: Dar-ul-Shifa, Hyderabad
Wiki Link – Salar Jung Museum – Wikipedia

The Salar Jung Museum is one of the world’s largest collections amassed by a single person, Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III. This museum features artifacts from India, Europe, China, Persia, and Egypt, covering a vast range of historical and artistic periods and undoubtedly one of the best Indian museums.

Veiled Rebecca

A breathtaking Italian marble sculpture showcasing a woman draped in a translucent veil.

Jade Dagger of
Aurangzeb

A finely carved dagger once owned by the Mughal emperor.

Double-Sided Wooden Statue

A  carving that displays two faces—one of a woman and one of a man

French Clocks Collection

A spectacular collection of mechanical clocks from 17th and 18th century France.

The Government Museum in Chennai is one of the finest museums in South India, famous for its exceptional collection of bronze statues, especially those from the Chola period. It also features a fascinating numismatics gallery, a children's museum, and exhibits on natural history.ir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III. This museum features artifacts from India, Europe, China, Persia, and Egypt, covering a vast range of historical and artistic periods.

Government Museum

Established: 1851
Location: Egmore, Chennai
Wiki Link: Government Museum, Chennai – Wikipedia

The Government Museum in Chennai is one of the finest museums in South India and also one if the best Indian museums, famous for its exceptional collection of bronze statues, especially those from the Chola period. It also features a fascinating numismatics gallery, a children’s museum, and exhibits on natural history.ir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III. This museum features artifacts from India, Europe, China, Persia, and Egypt, covering a vast range of historical and artistic periods.

Bronze Nataraja Statue

A divine depiction of Lord Shiva in cosmic dance.

Amaravati Stupa Sculptures

India’s largest Buddhist stupas

Palm Leaf Manuscripts

Rare texts covering topics from medicine to astrology.

Fossilized Dinosaur Egg

A rare find from the Cretaceous period.

Built as a tribute to Queen Victoria, this grand white-marble structure is both a museum and an art gallery, showcasing India's colonial history through artifacts, paintings, and sculptures. The surrounding gardens make it one of the most visited sites in Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

Established: 1921
Location: Maidan, Kolkata
Wiki Link: Victoria Memorial, Kolkata – Wikipedia

Built as a tribute to Queen Victoria, this grand white-marble structure is both a museum and an art gallery, showcasing India’s colonial history through artifacts, paintings, and sculptures. The surrounding gardens make it one of the most visited sites in Kolkata.

Queen Victoria’s
Throne

An elaborately designed royal seat.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Handwritten Letters

Historic correspondence of India’s first Nobel laureate.

Cannons from the Battle of Plassey

Weapons used during a decisive moment in Indian history.

Oil Paintings of British Rule

A rare find from the Cretaceous period.

The Bihar Museum is a modern museum dedicated to the rich heritage of Bihar, spanning ancient to modern history. It houses an impressive collection of artifacts from the Maurya and Gupta empires, early Buddhist relics, and contemporary art pieces. The museum has an interactive space for children, making it an educational destination for young learners.

Bihar Museum

Established: 2017
Location: Patna

The Bihar Museum is a modern museum dedicated to the rich heritage of Bihar, spanning ancient to modern history. It houses an impressive collection of artifacts from the Maurya and Gupta empires, early Buddhist relics, and contemporary art pieces. The museum has an interactive space for children, making it an educational destination for young learners.

Didarganj Yakshi

A stunning Mauryan-era sandstone sculpture of a celestial maiden.

Lichhavi Inscriptions

Rare stone carvings that date back to one of India’s earliest republics.

Tribal Art Exhibits

A collection showcasing the art of Bihar’s indigenous communities.

Buddhist Manuscripts

Ancient palm-leaf texts covering Buddhist philosophy.

Rail Museum

Established: 1977
Location: Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

The National Rail Museum showcases the rich history of Indian Railways, with real trains, engines, and carriages on display. The museum has a life-sized rail track featuring some of India’s oldest locomotives, including the Fairy Queen (1855), one of the world’s oldest working steam engines. 

There’s also the luxurious saloon car of the Prince of Wales (1875) and the Maharaja of Mysore’s personal train. The indoor museum features railway maps, signaling systems, and rare photographs documenting railway development in India

FairyQueen Steam Engine

The world’s oldest running steam locomotive.

Patiala Monorail Train

A unique early Indian railway system.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Miniature Model

India’s first mountain train.

Prince of Wales Royal Train

Ancient palm-leaf texts covering Buddhist philosophy.

Calico Museum of Textiles

Established: 1949
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The Calico Museum of Textiles is one of India’s finest textile museums, housing an extraordinary collection of Indian fabrics, embroidery, and royal costumes. The museum is set within an elegant haveli (mansion) and features Mughal, Rajput, and South Indian textiles. The Kalamkari paintings on fabric and Persian carpets are particularly noteworthy. 

It also has a collection of royal garments of the 15th and 16th centuries, including handwoven silk and zari work. The museum showcases antique sarees, brocades, and embroidered shawls from different Indian states.

Mughal Tent Canopies

Luxurious handwoven canopies used by Mughal emperors.

Patola Silk Sarees

A famous double-ikat weaving tradition of Gujarat.

Traditional Indian Block Prints

Beautifully designed cotton fabrics 

Royal Kashmiri Shawls

Some dating back to the 17th century.

Napier Museum

Established: 1855 (Renovated in 1880)
Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

The Napier Museum is an architectural and cultural gem named after Lord Napier, the former Governor of Madras. It is famous for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, with intricate wooden carvings, stained glass windows, and a natural air-conditioning system. The museum houses a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts, bronze idols, historic ornaments, and temple chariots. One of the highlights is the life-size Kathakali models, depicting the vibrant art form of Kerala. The museum is also home to rare Japanese shadow puppets, illustrating Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Bronze Idols of Gods and Goddesses

Exquisite Chola-era craftsmanship.

Kerala Temple Chariot

A miniature version of the temple chariots used during festivals.

Musical Instruments

Including the Chenda, Idakka, and Maddalam.

Rare Buddhist Sculptures

Found from various regions of South India.

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum

Established: 1962
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Named after Sir M. Visvesvaraya, one of India’s greatest engineers, the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM) is an interactive science and technology museum designed to educate and inspire visitors. Managed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), it houses seven permanent galleries, each dedicated to a different field of science and engineering, including space, mechanics, electronics, and biotechnology.

The museum is known for its hands-on exhibits, making science and technology engaging for all age groups. Visitors can explore working models, interactive experiments, and historical innovations that have shaped modern engineering and industrial advancements in India.

Dinosaur Alive Exhibit

A life-sized moving T-Rex model with sound effects.

Science on a Sphere

A digital projection system displaying Earth’s planetary science.

Biotechnology Hall

Showcasing DNA models, genetics experiments, and microbiology.

Fun Science Gallery

Hands-on exhibits demonstrating basic physics and optics concepts.

Other Museums

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum

HAL Aerospace Museum

Gandhi Smriti Museum

Kerala Folklore Museum

Bhau Daji Lad Museum

 Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum