A journey through time at Madhya Pradesh’s museums

Welcome to Madhya Pradesh, a State in central India known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. As we approach the International Museum Day on May 18, 2023, it is an opportune time to delve into the fascinating world of museums in Madhya Pradesh.

This State boasts a diverse collection of museums, each offering a unique glimpse into the region's past, art, culture, and natural history. Madhya Pradesh is home to several renowned museums that showcase the state's vibrant history and architectural marvels. Madhya Pradesh is often called the ‘heart of India’, not only because it is geographically located at the center of the country but also because it is epitomizing the historical, culture and natural variety as well as the sheer antiquity of this land. Some of the oldest human and animal fossil in the world have been excavated in the Narmada valley, and the state’s many rock art shelters are rich preserves of our ancestor’s imaginations. In historical times, Madhya Pradesh has been ruled by many dynasties, who built temples, forts and palaces across their empires in the state. Dozens of museums across the state are aiding the efforts to document and preserve the history of Madhya Pradesh as it has come down to us in art and sculptures, pottery and fossil, jewellery and weapons. Let’s have a look at a few museums of Madhya Pradesh.

Talking to Bizz Buzz, Vivek Shrotriya (IAS), Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Toursim Board on Museums of Madhya Pradesh, said: “Madhya Pradesh is home to enormous number of cultures and tribes and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board takes every possible step to preserve and promote them. Some of these tribes and cultures have existed for centuries as Madhya Pradesh is a dynasty which has been ruled by several conquerors of different time periods.”

Tourism board has taken several initiatives to promote and preserve the legacy of the state and one such new step is the introduction of the SAGO Travel Buddy QR based application. The application is set to be inaugurated on the World Museums Day across six museums of MP which include State Museum (Bhopal), Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum (Gwalior), Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum (Dhubela), Vedhshala (Ujjain), Tribal Museum (Bhopal) and Triveni (Ujjain), he said. This application enables the user to access the details and information about the major tourist locations in multiple languages. It serves as an audio guide which informs the user about the historical significance of the locations and monuments.

According to Shrotriya, The QR’s have been strategically installed at the locations where there is no availability of guides and it does not hamper the scope of employment in any capacity. The only purpose of this initiative is to make it easier for the tourist to access information.

MP Tribal Museum

The capital of Madhya Pradesh Bhopal, which is also known as the ‘City of Lakes’, has several museums which have a lot of unheard truth of bygone era in its folds. One of the biggest attractions here is Tribal museum. The colourful museum is being divided into six different galleries showcasing various tribes of Madhya Pradesh. The folklores, lifestyle, rituals and social customs of all seven indigenous tribes of MP- the Gonds, Bhils, Bharias, Sahariya, Korku, Kol, and Baiga are showcased in the museum through a repository of traditional art. In fact, lives of the region's seven tribes are being celebrated here via their craft. The moment you step into the galleries inside the museum, you get a strong feel about not just witnessing the galleries but a strong feeling of entering straight into the lifestyles of the tribes of Madhya Pradesh.

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS)

Any exploration of a museum is incomplete without a visit to the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), in Bhopal. On a sprawling land of over 200 acres, one can see the open-air exhibition of tribal habitats from all corners of India. These dwells are made by the tribes themselves using the indigenous raw material that depict the lifestyle of tribal in the villages. The open-air exhibitions include Himalayan Village, Medicinal Trail, Mythological Trails, Desert Village and Rock-Art Heritage that displays 36 rock shelters with stunning prehistoric paintings. The museum also exhibits a collection of traditional outfits, agricultural and household objects and other crafts showcasing the regime of the tribes!

Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum, Dhubela

Situated at a distance of 62 km from Khajuraho, Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum is located in Dhubela on the Chhatarpur-Nowgaon highway in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Popularly known as Dhubela Museum, the palace was built by Maharaja Chhatrasal on the banks of Dhubela Lake. Established in 1955, the museum helps tourist to know the history of famous Bundela dynasty of Khajuraho. This museum has eight galleries, of which two galleries display inscriptions, copper plates, sati pillars, lingas and inscribed images of the Gupta and Kalachuri period. The museum houses a wide range of sculptures of the Shakti cult. It has also a significant collection of Jaina images.

Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum, Khajuraho

Situated within the Chandela Cultural Complex in Khajuraho, this museum is an ideal place for history lovers, as it possesses a rich collection of tribal and folk art and artifacts. The museum offers the visitors a peek into the history of customs and rituals of different tribes in Madhya Pradesh. It houses over 500 tribal antiques, folk paintings, jewellery, masks, terracotta objects, metal craft and bamboo items. One can also buy some original paintings and prints here. This museum also exhibits the evolution of centuries.

Gujari Mahal Archeological Museum, Gwalior

Gujari Mahal is one of the most visited places in Gwalior. The palace was built by king Man Singh for his beloved queen Mrignayani who was born in Gurjar family. It is now known as the archaeological survey of India’s museum in Gwalior. The archaeological heritage displayed in the museum is comprised of stone sculptures, terracotta figures, stone inscriptions, copper plate inscriptions, coins, bronze sculptures, paintings, arms and weapons and excavated material.