The Indian State of Madhya Pradesh is not just known for its geographical diversity. Besides that, it also houses numerable museums that exhibit art, culture, tradition, music, dance, etc., of this state. From archaeological museums to museums depicting royal history to historical museums, it has everything that keeps the visitors an exciting experience and an insight into various aspects of Madhya Pradesh.
Here are 10 Museums in Madhya Pradesh that are worth a visit:
1. Central Museum, Indore
The Central Museum of Indore is famous in the State of Madhya Pradesh. It was established inside the Nararatna Mandir in 1929 but was later shifted to its present location in 1965. It has several galleries containing historical artefacts. The museum galleries include Index Gallery & Display Hall, Antiquity Gallery, Inscription Gallery, Coin Gallery, Italian & Contemporary Gallery, Weapons Gallery, and Contemporary Paintings Gallery.
2. Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum, Bhopal
As its name suggests, the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum in Bhopal tells you about the local tribes of the state. The state government established it in 2004. It contains large and colourful displays depicting the routine life, culture and traditions and other things related to the tribal groups of Madhya Pradesh. The museum galleries include a Gallery of homes, a Gallery depicting cultural diversity, Devlok- The house of gods and a gallery which showcases how games originated.
3. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahlaya, Bhopal
Also known National Museum of humankind, the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sanghralaya is a sight to behold. It was set up in 1977. It tells humanity’s story through its various open-air and indoor exhibitions. It includes Parol, Aiyanaar Kovil, Traditional Technology Park, Rock Art Shelters, Himalayan Village, Coastal Village, Tribal Habitat, etc.
4. Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum, Dhubela
A work of architectural beauty, the Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum is also famous as Dhubela Museum, as it is housed inside the Dhubela Palace. In 1955, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru inaugurated this museum with artefacts and antiquities collected from Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions. The museum galleries include Inscription Gallery, Jaina Gallery, Saiva & Shakta Gallery, etc.
5. H H Maharaja Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum, Gwalior
The H H Maharaja Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum of Gwalior gives its tourist an insight into the lives of Scindia. Housed in the Jai Vilas Palace, it has enormous chandeliers, large paintings, crystal fountains, paintings made by Raja Ravi Verma, ornaments, bronze sculptors, etc., on display.
6. The Sanchi Museum, Sanchi
Sir John Marshall established the Sanchi Museum in 1919. Later, in 1966, the museum was shifted to the foothill of Sanchi Stupa. Spread over an area of 6.30 acres, it has four galleries along with the main hall, a verandah and some open courtyards, and it exhibits objects belonging to the period from 3rd Century BC to 12th Century AD.
7. State Museum, Bhopal
The museum was initially established in 1909 AD but was later shifted to its current location in 2005. It consists of 17 theme-based galleries which exhibit pre-history & fossils, metal images, sculptures, royal collections, postal stamps, rare musical instruments, etc.
8. Sarod Ghar, Gwalior
Sarod Ghar or Sarod Museum is managed by Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Memorial Trust and is housed in the ancestral home of Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan’s family. It aims to honour the great musicians, writers and artists and give visitors a glimpse of their lives. It displays old and contemporary musical instruments of great past musicians in addition to photographs and documents.
9. Triveni Archaeological Museum, Ujjain
The Triveni Archaeological Museum was established by the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, in 2016. It houses three galleries, ‘ Shaiv’, ‘Vaishnava’ and ‘Shakti’, based on the Triveni concept. They have stone sculptures, miniature paintings, coins, etc., on display.
10. Gujri Mahal Museum, Gwalior
Another museum of the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, is the Gujri Mahal Museum. It was ideated in 2014, and after collecting valuable objects o history for about seven years, the museum was inaugurated in 1922. It contains stone sculptures, terracotta figures, copper plate inscriptions, etc.
