Rajasthan is the royal state dotted with many massive forts, palaces and temples, which are popular for their architecture and design. There are a number of museums that can be included in the museum tour of Rajasthan, India. Museums can be found in almost all the large and small cities of Rajasthan. Most of the museums in Rajasthan are housed in the old forts and palaces, reflecting the rich history of the state.
City Palace Museum, Jaipur :
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 Amer 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.
Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur :
Located in the centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, this is the oldest Museum in the State. It was built in 1876 when King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of Wales. It was opened to public in 1886
Hawa Mahal Museum, Jaipur :
The Hawa Mahal museum is situated in the Pratap Mandir, adjoining the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). The museums preserved here and displays the sculptural heritage collected from Ganeshwar, Raid, Virat Nagar, Raid, Sambhar, etc.
Amer Archaeological Museum, Jaipur :
Amer, the ancient capital of Jaipur, contains the Amer Archaeological museum in its Dil-e-Aaram gardens. The museum is divided into three sections. It houses the excavated material from Bairat, Nagar, Rairh, Sambhar, etc, along with the sculptures and epigraphs collected from various sites in the erstwhile Jaipur
Virat Nagar Museum, Jaipur :
In the ancient India, during the epic period, the area around Jaipur, Alwar and Bharatpur was known as Matsayadesh. Virat Nagar was the capital of Matsayadesh. The museum contains and displays an amazing collection of excavated material like statues, old coins, potteries, seals, old coins, metallic pieces, weapons, etc.
Government Museum, Ajmer :
Situated in the heart of the old city and close to the railway station the museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570. It was here that the British envoy Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor jahangir in 1616. What is today commonly known as Magazine is the palace quarters where the emperors lived. After British occupation in 1818 and during the first war of Independence in 1857 it was used as the Rajputana Arsenal by the British which gave the name magazine.
Government Museum, Bharatpur :
Located in the centre of the famous Lohagarh Fort, the Bharatpur Museum houses a rich collection of archaeological wealth of the nearby areas as from the old Bharatpiir State. The huge palatial building Kachahari Kalan, once the administrative block of the rulers of Bharatpur state, was converted into a Museum in 1944. Lateron, the Kamra Khas (personal chamber) building on the first floor was added to the museum. It exhibits sculptures found during the excavation of old villages e.g. Noh, Mailah, Bareh, Bayana etc. ranging from the Kuslian period.
Government Museum, Alwar :
Alwar government museum is situated in the old City Palace. Displayed in the museum, is a rich unique collection of brass work, pottery, stuffed animals, ivory work, arms, lac work, musical instruments, miniature paintings, Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts, etc.
Mehrangarh Museum, Jodhpur
An excellent museum with rare and interesting artifacts, textiles, paintings, transport items etc. laid out with utmost care and thought.The Palanquin and Howdah Galleries display a superb collection of old and costly specimens of great historical value.
Government Museum, Jodhpur :
Located in the Umaid gardens on High Court Road, it has a large and fairly interesting collection. There are many stuffed animal, inclusing a number of desert birds in two glass cases, each with a thorn bush. The military section includes cumbersome wooden biplane models and an extraordinary brass battelship.
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum, Jodhpur :
The ruling family of Jodhpur has recently converted a part of the gigantic Umaid Bhawan Palace as a palace museum. Items on display are rare collection of rocks, watches, fine china, ornate mirrored furniture, glass and crystal ware, photographs etc.
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Junagarh-Bikaner :
Ganga Mahal, the imposing halls added by Maharaja Ganga Singh, now houses the Fort Museum. It contains a fine collection of antique Rajput weaponry, jade handle daggers, camel hide dhals (shields) and inlaid handguns and camel guns. Gold and silver howdahs, jhulas, palkis and a first world war biplane are on view. Other important objects include a pair of drums belonging to jambhoji, the saint who predicated the foundation of the dynasty by Rao Bika for 450 years. Photographs and items of personal use by Maharaja Ganga Singh and miniatures are also on view.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum, Udaipur :
The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.
