Here is a list of 50 museums maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, arranged statewise, with their locations mentioned. Explore and Start Planning Your Visit:
Delhi: Red Fort Museum – Delhi, National Museum – Delhi
Bihar: Museum of Archaeology, Nalanda – Nalanda, Patna Museum – Patna, Nalanda University Archaeological Museum – Nalanda, Vaishali Museum – Vaishali
Uttar Pradesh: Kushinagar Museum – Kushinagar, Lucknow State Museum – Lucknow, Agra Fort Museum – Agra, Fatehpur Sikri Museum – Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath Museum – Sarnath, Ramnagar Museum – Ramnagar, Mathura Museum – Mathura, Hastinapur Museum – Hastinapur
Punjab: Sanghol Museum – Sanghol
Maharashtra: Ajanta Caves Museum – Ajanta, Ellora Caves Museum – Ellora, Aurangabad Museum – Aurangabad, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya – Mumbai, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute Museum – Pune, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum – Pune
Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal Museum – Bhopal, Khajuraho Museum – Khajuraho, Sanchi Museum – Sanchi, Gwalior Fort Museum – Gwalior, Jabalpur Museum – Jabalpur, Indore Museum – Indore, Mandu Museum – Mandu
Rajasthan: Udaipur City Palace Museum – Udaipur, Jodhpur Mehrangarh Museum – Jodhpur, Jaipur Museum – Jaipur, Ajmer Museum – Ajmer, Chittorgarh Fort Museum – Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer Fort Museum – Jaisalmer
Odisha: Bhubaneswar Museum – Bhubaneswar, Konark Museum – Konark, Ratnagiri Museum – Ratnagiri, Pipli Museum – Pipli
Manipur: Manipur State Museum – Imphal
Assam: Guwahati Museum – Guwahati, Charaideo Maidam Museum – Charaideo
Meghalaya: Shillong Museum – Shillong
Tamil Nadu: Chennai Government Museum – Chennai, Mahabalipuram Museum – Mahabalipuram, Pudukkottai Museum – Pudukkottai, Thanjavur Museum – Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli Museum – Tiruchirapalli, Fort St. George Museum – Chennai
Karnataka: Hampi Museum – Hampi, Badami Museum – Badami
Introduction to All 50 Museums Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization responsible for the conservation, preservation, and management of India’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Alongside maintaining over 3,600 monuments, temples, forts, and heritage sites, ASI also operates 50 museums across the country. These museums serve as vital repositories of India’s ancient history, showcasing artifacts, sculptures, inscriptions, manuscripts, coins, and other invaluable relics from prehistoric times to the colonial era.
The ASI museums are located within or near significant archaeological sites and historical monuments, offering visitors deeper insights into India’s past. From the Red Fort Museum in Delhi, which displays Mughal artifacts, to the Sarnath Museum in Uttar Pradesh, home to the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, each museum plays a crucial role in educating the public about India’s diverse and illustrious heritage.
Whether exploring the Ajanta and Ellora Caves Museum in Maharashtra, housing Buddhist and Hindu relics, or the Hampi Archaeological Museum in Karnataka, depicting the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire, these institutions preserve and present India’s history with remarkable depth and authenticity.
This comprehensive guide will introduce you to all 50 ASI-maintained museums, highlighting their historical significance, key collections, and must-see exhibits. Whether you are a history enthusiast, researcher, or traveler, these museums offer a fascinating journey through time, bringing India’s rich past to life.