National Museum

Overview

India's largest museum, housing over 200,000 artefacts spanning five millennia—from Indus Valley relics to Mughal miniatures and Chola bronzes. Located on Janpath near India Gate, it is the country's foremost repository of art, archaeology, and decorative arts.

Highlights

• Indus Valley Gallery: Original seals, pottery, and the Dancing Girl figurine from Mohenjo-daro (c. 2500 BCE).
• Buddhist Art Wing: Gandhara sculptures and Ajanta-style murals tracing 1,500 years of Buddhist artistic tradition.
• Mughal Miniatures: Exquisite court paintings from the 16th–18th centuries, including works from the Akbar-nama.

History

Opened in 1949 with items from the Indian Art Exhibition at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the collection was shifted to its current modernist building on Janpath in 1960. It is managed by the Ministry of Culture.

Visitor Tips

• Audio guide: Available in English and Hindi at the ticket counter for ₹50.
• Photography: Allowed without flash; tripod requires separate permission.
• Duration: 2–3 hours for a comprehensive visit.