The Shimla State Museum houses a huge collection of magnificent paintings, sculptures, coins, handicrafts, photos, etc of not only the state of Himachal Pradesh but outside too. The state museum is a major attraction of the Mall area of Shimla built in the style of colonial edifice with sprawling lawns all around. This museum was inaugurated in 1974.
The Shimla State Museum was erected solely with the purpose of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the state and to spread the message of cultural legacy over generations.
The paintings depicts the life and culture of the hilly people. Besides there is a huge collection of Mughal and Rajasthani paintings. The museum holds the sculptural merit of the 8th century stone works of Masrur and Bajaura. Also a wide lay out of Himachali dolls are displayed here.
The Shimla State Museum is visited by the researchers from both domestic as well as foreign lands.
The various galleries of the Shimla State Museum are as follows:
- Pre-Historic Gallery - The gallery consists of ancient stone age tools as well as models of extinct animals.
- Wood-Carving Gallery - Remains of wood panels of ancient temples and traditional wood artistry and stone work is found here.
- Archaeology Gallery - Storehouse of sculptural works and terracotta stuffs of Maurya, Shunga and Gupta period.
- Wall Painting Gallery - Bags wall painting of the Rang Mahal of Chamba.
- Numismatic Gallery - Has got an extensive collection of the coins of Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla State Museum Video
- Himachal Archaeological Gallery
- Pahari Miniature Painting Gallery
- Photographs Gallery
- Rajasthan Miniature Painting Gallery
- Bronze Gallery
