MAHARAJA SAWAI MAN SINGH II MUSEUM
Located
within the City Palace complex and nestled amidst old buildings,
temples and the palace quarters, this museum was founded in 1959
by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. The exhibits consist of the ancestral
collections built up by the successive rulers of Ajmer and Jaipur.
A small selection of paintings, manuscripts, maps, carpets, textiles,
costumes, weapons and armours was displayed in the Pothikhana
(library) and the Silehkhana or armoury (both of these in their
present form, were established in 1952) of the palace.
The
Art Gallery is housed in the Diwan-i-Aam constructed for holding
important State functions. A variety of objects-miniature paintings,
illustrated manuscripts, decorated bookcovers, palm-leaf and Sanchipat
manuscripts, old printed books, gigantic Mughal carpets, gold
and silver Takhis-Rawan (movable throne), covered Ambabadis and
open Howdahs, palanquins and carriages with richly embroidered
velvet coverings are displayed in this gallery. There are rare
bird and animal studies by Ustad Mansur, court scenes, battle
scenes, portraits and mythological paintings by famous Mughal
painters.
A
very rare gold brocaded velvet throne carpet bearing seal marks
and notes dating back to 1605 A.D., two richly embroidered window
curtains belonging to the mid-seventeenth century and a finely
woven gold and silk circular Thal-Posh (dish cover) also belonging
to the seventeenth century are worthy of mention.
Address
: Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Ji Museum
Inside City Palace, Jaipur
Timings : 9.30 A.M. to 4.45 P.M.
GOVT. MUSEUM - AJMER
Situated in the heart of old city and close to the railway station
the museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace built by
the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1616.
The Museum was started in 1908 by the Government of India with
the object of collecting and preserving many unique objects of
antiquarian interest which were lying uncared for and scattered
all over Rajasthan. The Rajputan Museum as it is significantly
named, has in its galleries important exhibits from almost all
the princely States.
The museum's main sections are devoted to Sculptures, epigraphs,
Prehistoric antiquities, Arms and Weapons.
( I ) Sculptures constitute the most interesting section in
this Museum. The collection is enormously rich and varies from
periods ranging from the Gupta to the late Medieval period.
( II )The Epigraphical exhibits which number about one
hundred, are unsurpassed in many respects. Of special interest
among them are :
» Brahmi inscription from Barli
» Inscribed slab from Nagari.
» Pratapgarh Inscription of Mahendrapala II.
» Two slabs inscribed with the Drama Harakeli Nataka from
Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra.
» Slab containing drama Lalita Vigraharaj Nataka by somodeva
also from Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra.
» Barla inscription of Prithiviraj Chauhan III.
( III ) A number of important copper plate grants add to
the value of rich collection of museum. They include.
( IV ) Of the early coins, there are punch marked, Sibi-Janpada,
Indo-Greek, Indo Sassanian, Kushan and Gupta coins preserved in
the coin cabinet of this Museum. This also contains coins of the
Rajput rulers and also contains coins of this museum. This also
contains coins of the Rajput rulers and also of the Mughal and
Pathan rulers.
( V) Paintings section contains more than a hundred exhibits,
including a dozen rare Chief, Birbal, A Muslim Prince and Farrukshyar
deserve mention. These paintings copies only ) depict well known
Rajput Kings.
Address
: Ajmer, Rajasthan
Note : Timing : 10 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.
CENTRAL MUSEUM
Situated in the midst of Ramnivas Gardens, it is an imposing stone
structure executed in the Indo-Persian style of architecture.
The museum has a wide range of metal objects used for domestic
purposes.
Also on view area large collection of miniatures from the Bundi,
Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of paintings ; ceremonial
robes worn by kings and queens and samples of wood block printing
in the textile section.
Address
: Central Museum (Albert Hall)
Ramnivas Garden
Jaipur
