Indian Museum, Kolkata – An Introduction

The Indian Museum, Kolkata

The inception and evolution of the Indian Museum stand as a pivotal chapter in the advancement of India’s heritage and culture. Established in 1814 within the premises of the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Kolkata, it holds the distinction of being not only the earliest but also the largest multipurpose museum in the Indian subcontinent and the Asia-Pacific region. It is also the ninth largest museum in the world.

A full exploration of all of the galleries in the museum would take multiple days, so a bit of prior planning is recommended. On my visit in Feb 2023 a number of the galleries where closed, but fortunately the ones I really wanted to see, which focus on art and archaeology, were open. You can click on the images/links below to see what these specific galleries have to offer.

Photography seems to be permitted in all the galleries, except for the Bharhut Gallery, for reasons which seem totally inexplicable. So apologies for my short rant about this state of affairs in that blog post.

Aside from the galleries themselves, the inner corridors which flank the central courtyard showcase a number of pieces of ancient Indian sculpture which themselves deserve some detailed coverage. Most of these are in excellent condition and on par with their counterparts in the Archaeology gallery, the lack of available space probably demoted them to this setting. Most of these sculptures are labelled, although some were behind glass cases which would benefit from a bit of a clean.

Below is a virtual tour of these sculptures, interspersed with some detail on the history of the Indian Museum.

Please click on any of the images to view them in a larger format.

Left : Seated Tara – 10th century – Lalitagiri, Odisha
Right : Vishnu – 10th century – Bihar

Left : Lion Capital – 3rd century BCE – Rampurva, Champaren, Bihar
Right : Wish Fulfilling Tree – 2nd century BCE – Besnagar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Left : Not labelled (Footprint of Buddha)
Right : Footprint of Buddha – 11th century – Bihar

Mother and Child – 12th century – Bengal

The roots of the museum can be traced back to the year 1814, marking the commencement of a significant era that catalyzed the socio-cultural and scientific progress of the nation. The founding of the Indian Museum set in motion the museum movement in India, gaining momentum over the years and flourishing into the existence of over 400 museums across the country. To comprehend the museum’s origin, we delve into the late 18th century when Sir William Jones, a devoted scholar, established the Asiatic Society in 1784 in Kolkata, aiming to serve India through the development of art, culture, and the preservation of heritage within the geographic confines of Asia.

Left : Votive Stupa – 11th century – Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Right : Not labelled (Milestone)

Left : Door frame with Ganga, Yamuna and Surya – 10th century – Purani Math, Banaras
Middle : Door frame – not labelled
Right : Door frame – not labelled

Left : Lintel with Crowned Buddha – 9th century – Uttar Pradesh
Right : Niche top showing Buddha – 11th century – Bihar

Although Sir William Jones did not explicitly mention the establishment of a museum in the society’s activities during the inaugural address, the idea took shape in 1796. Dr. Nathanial Wallich, a Danish botanist, proposed the formation of a museum, offering to act as an honorary curator and supply duplicates from his collection. This proposal gained approval, leading to the establishment of the Oriental Museum at the Asiatic Society in 1814, with Dr. Wallich appointed as the Honorary Curator.

Left : Avalokitesvara – 9th century – Surajkund, Nalanda, Bihar
Right : Hari-Hara – 10th century – Surajkund, Nalanda, Bihar

Left : Surya within niche – 10th century – Banaras, Uttar Pradesh
Right : Mahishasuramardini within niche – 10th century – Banaras, Uttar Pradesh

Salabhanjika – 13th century – Konark, Odisha

Left : Buddha seated in Bhumisparsha – 10th century – Bihar
Right : Surya – 10th century – Bihar

Over time, the museum’s collection expanded, with contributions from both European and Indian donors. In 1837, James Prinsep advocated for the formation of a National Museum, and in 1856, efforts were made for an Imperial Museum in Calcutta. The amalgamation of the Geological Museum with the Geological Survey of India occurred in 1858, and in 1862, the Government of India announced the foundation of a Public Museum.

Left : Varahavatara – 10th century – Surajkund, Nalanda, Bihar
Right : Six-armed Avalokitesvara – 10th century – Nalanda, Bihar

Lintel depicting Brahma and other deities – 11th century – Gaur, West Bengal

Left : Avalokitesvara – 10th century – Lalitagiri, Odisha
Right : Vajrapani – 10th century – Lalitagiri, Odisha

Lintel depicting Navagraha and Dasavatara – 11th century – Bihar

Negotiations and discussions between the Government of India and the Asiatic Society persisted until 1865, leading to the foundation of the present Indian Museum building in 1867 on Chowringhee Road. Completed in 1875, the museum opened to the public on April 1, 1878, showcasing diverse disciplines such as Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Zoology, Geology, and Botany.

Left : Composite image oif Surya and Shiva – 13th century – Konark, Odisha
Right : Avalokitesvara – 10th century – Kendrapara, Odisha

Scenes from the life of Buddha – 6th century – Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh

Left : Scenes from the life of Buddha – 6th century – Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
Right : Buddha seated in Bhumisparsha – 10th century – Bihar

Originally known as the Asiatic Society Museum, it later gained the names Imperial Museum and Indian Museum. The museum, often referred to as Jadughar or Ajabghar, has evolved into a multipurpose institution displaying the nation’s legacy and pride. Recognized as one of the pioneering National Institutions in the Constitution of the Republic of India, the Indian Museum, with its three cultural sections and eight service units, continues to contribute significantly to the preservation and dissemination of India’s rich cultural heritage.

Gajasurasamhara murti of Shiva – 10th century – Puri, Odisha

Seated Buddha – 10th century – Bodh Gaya, Bihar

The Indian Museum stands as a silent guardian of the nation’s heritage, but it’s more than a collection of objects. It’s a living narrative that connects India to its roots, providing a window into the diverse and rich tapestry of the country’s past.

I hope this digital journey, along with the other blog posts on specific galleries, has ignited your curiosity and kindled a passion for discovering the myriad facets of India’s cultural legacy. The Indian Museum beckons not only as a destination but also as a portal to understanding, appreciating, and preserving the essence of India’s shared history.

Please ‘Like’ or add a comment if you enjoyed this blog post. If you’d like to be notified of any new content, just sign up by clicking the ‘Follow’ button. If you have enjoyed this or any other of my posts, please consider buying me a coffee. There’s a facility to do so on the righthand side of this website for desktop users, and just above the comment section for mobile users. Thank you !

If you’re interested in using any of my photography or articles please get in touch. I’m also available for any freelance work worldwide, my duffel bag is always packed ready to go…

[email protected]
kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com