Indian
Museum was established in 1914. First of its kind and still the
largest in the country. The Museum has six sections : Art, Archaeology,
Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, and Industry (Economic Botany).
The Art Section comprises Tibetan temple banners, metal images,
enameled wares, bidriwares, ornaments, silver wares, glass wares,
pottery, ivory and bone work, wooden sculptures, leather objects,
lacquered toys.
The Archaeological Section displays stone-age artifacts from India
and abroad, prehistoric antiquities from Mohenjodaro, Harappa
The Anthropological Section displays numerous objects of material
cultures of both tribal and non-tribal peoples of India.
The extensive Geological Section has over 80,000 specimens, displayed
in four galleries showing varieties of meteorites, precious stones,
ornamental building stones, rocks and minerals and fossils.
The Zoological section, is rich with innumerable specimens of
insects, fish, reptiles, mammals and birds. The industrial Section
has several thousand botanical specimens bearing upon medicine,
forestry, agriculture and cottage-industry. The Museum has a publication
unit and a library.
Address
: 27, Jawarhar lal Nehru Road,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.00 to 17.00 (March – November)
10.00 to 16.30 (December – February)
Opens on all days except Mondays and recognized holidays.
CENTRAL
MUSEUM
This
is specifically ethnographic museum and has on view objects and
specimens related to the different tribal and other communities
of India. The collections on view are especially significant because
of the diversity of subjects and material available.
Address
: Central Museum
Anthropological Survey of India
2 Ripon Street, Calcutta
ASHUTOSH MUSEUM OF INDIAN ART
On
display are basalt sculptures from Pala and Sena periods with
us distinctive blend of Hindu and and buddhist styles, as also
sculpted clay panels from temples of the Vishnupur region.
There are also interesting collections of patachitras, or painted
scrolls from Bengal, playing cards, palm leaf manuscripts, ritual
objects, toys and dolls. The textiles include embroidered Kanthas,
the patchwork and quilting textile technique, and saris from Baluchar
with their quaint figurative designs.
Address
: Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art
University of Calcutta ,Centenary Buildings
Calcutta
VICTORIA
MEMORIAL MUSEUM
The impressive Victoria Memorial houses a collection of the British
colonial period. Visitors are greeted by a life-size statue of
young Victoria (By Sir Thomas Brock). There are enormous oil paintings
in the Royal Gallery, illustrating episodes from queen Victoria's
long, eventful life and reign and a large painting titled "The
Entry of King Edward VII into Jaipur in 1876"(by a Russian
artist). Also on display are books on the 'Raj', sculptures of
Clive and other Governor Generals and a superb collection of paintings.
Address
: Victoria Memorial Museum
Queen's Way
Calcutta
AGRI-HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF INDIA (Garden & Green House)
Agri-Horticultural
Society of India was established in 1820 It has a flower garden,
greenhouses, a research laboratory and a library. Organizes annual
flower shows and imparts training in horticulture.
Address
: 1, Alipore Road,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 07.00 - 11.00; 15.00 - 17.00
BANGIYA SAHITA PARISHAD CHITRASALA
Bangiya
Sahita Parishad Chitrasala was established 1910. Collections include
valuable mediaeval stone and metal sculptures, manuscripts, letters
of famous Bengali author, art and archaeology objects depicting
the history and culture of Bengal.
Address
: 243/1, Archarya Prafulla Chandra Road,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 13.00 - 19.00
Closed : Thursdays and public holidays.
BIRLA ACADEMY OF ART AND CULTURE MUSEUM
Birla
Academy of Art and Culture Museum was established in 1966. Collections
include paintings of the mediaeval period as well as modern art
and some archaeological specimens. The Museum holds regular exhibitions
of modern Indian sculptors and painters.
Address
: 108-109, Southern Avenue,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 16.00 - 20.00 (Weekdays)
Closed Tuesdays
Sunday hours : 13.00 - 20.00
BIRLA INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Birla
Industrial and Technological Museum was established in 1956 It
was built by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research;
deals with basic science and technology: has large number of exhibits,
designed, prepared and fabricated at its own workshop. Galleries
cover models showing Electricity, Nuclear Physics, Iron and Steel,
Optics, Motive Power, Communication and Mining. The Optics Gallery
has since been converted into a Popular Science Gallery. Popular
activities of the Museum include films shows, demonstration-lectures,
hobby activities, periodical programs of sky-observation through
telescopes. Runs several mobile units for the rural areas. Regional
Science Museums at Malda and Purulia operate under this body.
Address
: 19A, Gurusaday Road,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.00 - 17.30. (Tuesday to Sunday )
CRAFTS MUSEUM
Crafts
Museum was established in 1950.(Formerly of the Indian Institute
of Art in Industry). Collections include rural arts and crafts
of different regions of India including ivories, metal objects
and textiles from West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Maharashtra, U.P,
Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karanataka and Tamil Nadu. Maintains
a good library and photographic records.
Address
: 9-12, Old CourtHouse Street,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.00 - 17.00 on Weekdays.
ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM
Ethnographic
Museum was established in 1955 It was built by the Cultural Research
Institute, Govt. of West Bengal. Objects on view include hunting
tools and equipment, fishing gears, dresses and ornaments, utensils,
furniture, spinning and weaving aids and also objects relating
to art, religion and 'magic'. Stores photograph and tape-records
of folk music depicting lifestyle of the tribes of this state.
Address
: Cultural Research Institute, Tribal Welfare Development,
Government of West Bengal, New Secretariat Buildings, 1, K. S
Roy Road,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.30 - 17.00 only Weekdays.
GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL MUSEUM
Government
Industrial and Commercial Museum was established in 1939. Collections
include handicrafts, cottage and small-scale industry products
of West Bengal. Distributed over eight sections covering textiles,
dolls and toys, handicrafts, commercial products, models and statistical
charts. Runs a library and a free reading room. Activities include
exhibitions guide-lecture services and symposia.
Address
: 45, Ganesh Chandra Avenue,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.30 - 17.30 only on Weekdays
Saturday : 10.00 -13.00 hrs.
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE MUSEUM
This
Museum is run by the Regional Labor Institute, Ministry of Labor
and Employment, Govt. of India. Exhibits depict industrial safety
devices, different classes of health hazards and remedial measures,
accident prevention method including occupational health. Organizes
safety training programs for workers.
Address
: Lake Town, Patipukur,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.00 - 17.00 except Second Saturday and
Sundays.
INSTITUTE OF PORT MANAGEMENT MUSEUM
Collects
and displays different aspects with special reference to the problems
of Calcutta Port Trust and the Hooghly river channel. Displays
models of dredgers, lock-gate systems, berths and modern docking
facilities.
Address
: Institute of Port Management, 40 Circular Reach Road,
Calcutta
JUTE MUSEUM, JUTE TECHNOLOGICAL
RESEARCH LABORATORIES. C. A. R.
Jute
Museum, Jute Technological Research Laboratories, I. C. A. R.
was established :1936. A Departmental Museum under the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research; displays various facets of the
jute and allied fabrics, charts showing chemical properties ,
structure and machining of the fiber, also decorative, industrial
and household products derived from jute. Popular with research
workers, technologists, foreign traders and tourists interested
in information about jute and jute fabrics.
Address
: 12, Regent Park,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.00 - 17.00 only on Weekdays.
MUNICIPAL MUSEUM
Municipal
Museum was established in 1932. Run by the Corporation of Calcutta.
It has got some displays on public and civil health and indigenous
products.
Address
: College Street Market (North Block),
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.30 - 17.00 Closed on Sundays and other
holidays.
NETAJI MUSEUM : Netaji Research Bureau
Netaji
Museum was established 1961. Collections kept in the ancestral
house of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose include personal effects,
photographs, letters of Netaji and other documents. The Bureau
also sells books written on Netaji. Has a good collection of photographs
and documents on India's struggle for freedom.
Address
: 38/2, Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 16.00 - 20.00 (Weekdays); 09.00 - 12.00(Sundays)
NEHRU CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Nehru
Children's Museum was established in 1972. Collections include
puppets depicting the Ramayana and the Mahabharata dolls wearing
national costumes from different countries. Miniature working
models of railway crossings and other novelties and an elementary
science gallery.
Address
: 94/1, Chowringhee Road,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 12.00 - 20.00. Closed on Monday.
RABINDRA BHARATI MUSEUM
Rabindra
Bharati Museum was established in 1961. Located in the ancestral
house of Rabindranath Tagore and attached to the Rabinda-Bharati
University. Depicts the Renaissance Movement of Bengal in the
19th Century and the role of the members of Tagore family therein.
A major section deals with the life and works of the poet. Has
a rich collection of books, original paintings, manuscripts, photographs
and other items related to the leading personalities of the 19th
century such as Ishwar Chanda Vidyasagar and Dwarkanath Tagore.
Sells nicely printed sets of cards.
Address
: 6/4, Dwarkanath Tagore Lane,
Calcutta
Note : Timings : 10.00 -19.00(Weekdays): 11.00 - 14.00
(Sundays and holidays; 19.00 - 20.00 on special occasions).
