Madhya Pradesh celebrates International Museum Day: Honors the Guardians of Heritage
The state prepares to showcase its legacy of conservation and commitment to digital innovation.
BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH , INDIA, May 16, 2025 / EINPresswire.com / -- In anticipation of International Museum Day, observed globally on May 18 under the auspices of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Madhya Pradesh is gearing up to honour the Guardians of Heritage, in resonance with the 2025 theme, 'The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.'
Under the Culture Department of Madhya Pradesh, the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives, and Museums oversees 497 state-protected monuments and 44 archaeological museums, categorised into 7 state-level, 22 district-level, 9 local, and 6 site-level institutions.
On this occasion, the Directorate will celebrate the timeless guardians of the state's rich history and diverse heritage—its museums.
Madhya Pradesh is home to some of the most prestigious and historically significant museums in India. Among them, Dhar Museum, established in 1902, stands as one of the oldest archaeological museums in the state.
One of the largest museums in the state is the State Museum in Bhopal, founded in 1909 and re-inaugurated in its new building by the then Chief Minister Shri Babulal Gaur on November 2, 2005. With 17 themed galleries, it remains a vital cultural landmark in the state capital.
Equally noteworthy is Gwalior's Gujari Mahal Museum, established in 1922 by Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia. Recognised as one of the finest museums in the state, the Gujari Mahal Museum houses an extraordinary collection of artefacts ranging from the 2nd century BCE to the 19th century CE. It also features a vast library with 4,000 books on archaeology, history, and culture.
In Indore, the Central Museum was established in 1923 by the Holkar State as 'Nararatna Mandir'. Initially serving as an educational institution on M.G. Road, a museum was added in 1929. Due to its central location in the Holkar region, it became known as the Central Museum. In 1965, it was shifted to its present building, where it houses eight galleries and an open-air display showcasing a rich collection of historical artefacts and cultural treasures.
The Rani Durgawati Museum in Jabalpur, known for its rare collection, displays 6,163 antiquities, including a striking photograph of the Sixty-four Yoginis, capturing the mystique and artistic excellence of ancient India.
A newer yet spiritually significant addition is the Triveni Archaeological Museum in Ujjain, inaugurated during Simhasth 2016. The museum features three thematic galleries—Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Shakta—reflecting the Triveni concept, based on three major spiritual traditions: Shaivism (Shaivayan), Vaishnavism (Krishnayan), and Shaktism (Durgayan).
The Tulsi Museum, Ramvan (Satna), founded by Seth Babu Sharda Prasad Ji in memory of his father, boasts a stunning collection of 2,368 antiquities and houses the Tulsi Library, which contains a staggering 25,000 books. The artefacts were meticulously collected from 1925 to 1957, representing one of the most comprehensive private efforts in heritage preservation—later handed over to the state.
The Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum, housed in the historic Dhubela Palace, is located 17 km from Chhatarpur on the Chhatarpur–Naugaon Road. Built in the 18th century CE by Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundella as his residence, the museum was inaugurated on 12 September 1955 by Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. It stands as a rare example of Bundela architecture. In addition to its rich collection, the museum features a library with over 2,300 books on history and archaeology.
The state's vision is to enhance public access through modern digital initiatives such as 3D scanning of artefacts, VR-based interactive displays, and digital kiosks. These endeavours enable enthusiasts around the world to engage with our shared cultural heritage and honour the Guardians of Heritage.
NB
Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
X
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Washington Post
Diver convicted of freeing sharks off Florida coast says he was surprised by presidential pardon
MIAMI — A shark-diving charter boat captain convicted of theft for freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a fisherman's longline off the coast of Florida says he's felt like he was living in an alternate universe for the past five years. That changed last week when he received a presidential pardon .


Washington Post
21 hours ago
- Washington Post
What it takes to clean industrial soot and grime from a Pittsburgh church's murals
MILLVALE, Pa. — How do you conserve 80-year-old murals that have accumulated decades' worth of soot, salt and other deterioration? Slowly and carefully, using everything from scientific analysis to seaweed extract to everyday tools — like cosmetic sponges and shish kebab sticks. That was the approach taken by a conservation team as they labored on a section of murals at St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church near Pittsburgh.


Washington Post
a day ago
- Washington Post
India is preparing to launch its delayed census, including controversial questions about caste
NEW DELHI — India will start counting its vast population in a mammoth exercise starting next year. The first census in 16 years will be conducted digitally and include controversial questions about caste for the first time since independence. The Home Ministry announced plans to conduct a two-stage count ending March 1, 2027 in a statement Wednesday night. India's last official census in 2011 counted 1.21 billion people. The country's population is now estimated to be well over 1.4 billion, making it the world's most populous country , according to the U.N.'s Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The once-in-a-decade population survey was originally due in 2021 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical hurdles. Here's a look at what goes into India's census and why it matters. The official count of the country's people is used to allocate many of India's welfare programs and other policies. It could also pave the way for redrawing the political landscape of India as seats are added to the lower house of Parliament and state legislatures to represent a larger population. Under the 2023 Women's Reservation Bill, a third of those seats will be set aside for women. The Indian census is said to be the largest peacetime mobilization in the world. Almost 2.7 million people were hired to implement the 2011 census, visiting more than 240 million households. The Home Ministry said the new census will be carried out in two phases and conclude by March 1, 2027. The government will spell out the details and schedule of the exercise later this month. They'll collect information about houses and their occupants, such as sex, age, marital status, religion, mother tongue, language, literacy and economic activity — as well as caste. The next census will be the first to consider the caste status of most Indians. Caste is an ancient system of social hierarchy in India and is critical to Indian life and politics. There are hundreds of caste groups based on occupation and economic status across India, particularly among Hindus, but the country has limited, or outdated data on how many people belong to them. Since independent India's first census in 1951, it counted only Dalits and Adivasis, members of marginalized groups known as scheduled castes and tribes. But India also has quotas that reserve government jobs, college admissions and elected offices for a swathe of lower and intermediate castes that are recognized as Other Backward Classes. India's current policy caps quotas at 50%, with 27% reserved for OBCs. A count of these groups will likely lead to calls to raise the quotas. Successive Indian governments have resisted updating caste data, arguing that it could lead to social unrest. The announcement on the census comes months ahead of a crucial election in India's poorest state of Bihar, where caste is a key issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party runs a coalition government in Bihar.