Here is a list of museums and art galleries of India arranged statewise, with their locations mentioned. Explore & Start Planning Your Visit:
Delhi: National Museum – Delhi, National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum (Crafts Museum) – Delhi, Crafts Museum – Delhi
Tamil Nadu: Government Museum – Chennai, Government Art Gallery – Chennai, Chennai Crafts Museum – Chennai, The Rajaraja Chola Museum – Thanjavur
West Bengal: Indian Museum – Kolkata, Kolkata Crafts Museum – Kolkata
Uttar Pradesh: Sarnath Museum – Sarnath, Government Museum – Mathura, Hastinapur Museum, Ramnagar Museum, Fatehpur Sikri Museum,
Telangana: Salarjung Museum – Hyderabad
Kerala: Dutch Palace Museum – Mattancherry
Maharashtra: Mumbai Crafts Museum – Mumbai, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune, Aurangabad Museum, Ellora Caves Museum, Ajanta Caves Museum,
Gujarat: Ahmedabad Crafts Museum – Ahmedabad, Prabhas Patan Museum – Prabhas Patan, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery – Vadodara, Vechaar Utensil Museum, Ahmedabad
Odisha: Bhubaneswar Crafts Museum – Bhubaneswar
Rajasthan: Udaipur Crafts Museum – Udaipur, Raj Palace Museum Hotel – Jaipur, City Palace Museum, Udaipur
Bihar: Nalanda Archaeological Museum – Nalanda
Andhra Pradesh: Nagarjunakonda Museum – Nagarjunakonda, Amaravati Museum – Amaravati /
Madhya Pradesh: Jabalpur Museum, Gwalior Fort Museum, Sanchi Museum, Khajuraho Museum, Bhopal Museum,
Punjab: Sanghol Museum,
All 50 Museums Maintained by The Archaeological Survey of India
Introduction:
India’s museums and art galleries are a treasure trove of cultural heritage, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich history, art, and craftsmanship. From the National Museum in Delhi to the Indian Museum in Kolkata, these institutions house priceless collections of ancient artifacts, sculptures, paintings, and textiles.
Craft museums, such as those in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Chennai, celebrate the traditional skills of artisans, while the Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad and the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery in Gujarat offer stunning displays of historical and international art. Each museum and gallery tells the unique story of India’s diverse cultural landscape, preserving its artistic legacy for future generations.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains 50 prominent museums across the country that serve as invaluable repositories of India’s rich historical, cultural, and archaeological heritage. These museums are strategically located near important heritage sites and monuments, offering visitors deep insights into the civilizations, art forms, and historical developments that have shaped the subcontinent.
From the iconic Red Fort Museum and National Museum in Delhi to the Indian classical sculpture collections at Sarnath and Mathura, and from the Buddhist relics at Nalanda and Sanchi to the intricate craftsmanship showcased at Ajanta, Ellora, and Hampi, these museums collectively narrate the grandeur of India’s ancient past.
Spanning various states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and the northeastern states, these museums showcase artifacts such as coins, sculptures, manuscripts, tools, weapons, textiles, and more.
Each museum under ASI’s care plays a crucial role in education, preservation, and public engagement, making them essential cultural institutions for scholars, students, and heritage enthusiasts alike.