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Indian Museum

The city's main museum has an enthralling (and huge) range of artefacts spread over several galleries devoted to archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology and botany. Highlights include a prized collection of Buddhist art, rare paintings, an Egyptian mummy, and a reproduction of the Barhut Gateway, dating back to second century BC.

The impressive building is a sight in itself, built in 1875. Originally established in 1814, and moved to its present site in 1878, Calcutta's Indian Museum is the largest and best museum in the country. Founded by Dr Nathaniel Wallich and housed in a magnificent Italian-style building the museum has over 60 galleries and is divided into six different sections: archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology and industry. The art section contains a picture gallery, with Persian- and Indian-style drawings and paintings, and also contains other artefacts and textiles, including silk-woven Tibetan temple banners.

Address: 
27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road (corner of Sudder Street),
Chowringhee,
Kolkata,
India
Telephone: 
(033) 2249 9902.
Website: 
www.indianmuseumkolkata.org
Opening times: 

1000-1700 (March-Nov); 1000-1630 (Dec-Feb).

Disabled access: 
No
Unesco: 
No

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