KOLKATA MUSEUMS

Indian Museum

Indian Museum was established in 1914. First of its kind and still the largest in the country. The Museum has six sections : Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, and Industry (Economic Botany).
The Art Section comprises Tibetan temple banners, metal images, enamelled wares, bidriwares, ornaments, silver wares, glass wares, pottery, ivory and bone work, wooden sculptures, leather objects, lacquered toys.
The Archaeological Section displays stone-age artifacts from India and abroad, pre-historic antiquities from Mohenjodaro, Harappa
The Anthropological Section displays numerous objects of material cultures of both tribal and non-tribal peoples of India.
The extensive Geological Section has over 80,000 specimens, displayed in four galleries showing varieties of meteorites, precious stones, ornamental building stones, rocks and minerals and fossils.
The Zoological section, is rich with innumerable specimens of insects, fish, reptiles, mammals and birds. The industrial Section has several thousand botanical specimens bearing upon medicine, forestry, agriculture and cottage-industry. The Museum has a publication unit and a library.

Address : 27, Jawarharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata

Central Museum

This is specifically ethnographic museum and has on view objects and specimens related to the different tribal and other communities of India. The collections on view are especially significant because of the diversity of subjects and material available.
Address : Central Museum
Anthropological Survey of India
2 Ripon Street, Kolkata.

Swabhumi

The Swabhumi is the latest addition to Kolkata's museum/cultural circuit. It is a heritage park with sections for arts and crafts, food court and folk entertainment. The park is a joint venture between the Kolkata Corporation and the Bengal Ambuja Group. It is just opposite the Salt Lake Stadium and is off the E.M. Bypass.
Address : Eastern Metropolitan Bypass,
89C Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Sarani,
Kolkata 700054.

Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art

On display are basalt sculptures from Pala and Sena periods with us distinctive blend of Hindu and and buddhist styles, as also sculpted clay panels from temples of the Vishnupur region.
There are also interesting collections of patachitras, or painted scrolls from Bengal, playing cards, palm leaf manuscripts, ritual objects, toys and dolls. The textiles include embroidered Kanthas, the patchwork and quilting textile technique, and saris from Baluchar with their quaint figurative designs.
Address : Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art
University of Kolkata ,Centenary Buildings, Kolkata

Victorial Memorial Museum

The impressive Victoria Memorial houses a collection of the British colonial period. Visitors are greeted by a life-size statue of young Victoria (By Sir Thomas Brock). There are enormous oil paintings in the Royal Gallery, illustrating episodes from queen Victoria's long, eventful life and reign and a large painting titled "The Entry of King Edward VII into Jaipur in 1876"(by a Russian artist). Also on display are books on the 'Raj', sculptures of Clive and other Governor Generals and a superb collection of paintings.
Address : Victoria Memorial Museum
Queen's Way, Kolkata.

Nehru Children's Museum

Nehru Children's Museum was established in 1972 Collections include puppets depicting the Ramayana and the Mahabharata dolls wearing national costumes from different countries. Miniature working models of railway crossings and other novelties and an elementary science gallery.
Address : 94/1, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 12.00 - 20.00. Closed on Monday.

Rabindra Bharti Museum

Rabindra Bharati Museum was established in 1961. Located in the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore and attached to the Rabinda-Bharati University. Depicts the Renaissance Movement of Bengal in the 19th Century and the role of the members of Tagore family therein. A major section deals with the life and works of the poet. Has a rich collection of books, original paintings, manuscripts, photographs and other items related to the leading personalities of the 19th century such as Ishwar Chanda Vidyasagar and Dwarkanath Tagore. Sells nicely printed sets of cards.
Address : 6/4, Dwarkanath Tagore Lane, Kolkata
Note : Timings : 10.00 -19.00(Weekdays): 11.00 - 14.00
(Sundays and holidays; 19.00 - 20.00 on special occasions).

Birla Industrial and Technological Museum

Agri-Horticultural Society of India (Garden & Green House)

Agri-Horticultural Society of India was established in 1820 It has a flower garden, greenhouses, a research laboratory and a library. Organizes annual flower shows and imparts training in horticulture.
Address : 1, Alipore Road, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 07.00 - 11.00; 15.00 - 17.00

Bangiya Sahita Parishad Chitrasala

Bangiya Sahita Parishad Chitrasala was established 1910. Collections include valuable mediaeval stone and metal sculptures, manuscripts, letters of famous Bengali author, art and archaeology objects depicting the history and culture of Bengal.
Address : 243/1, Archarya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 13.00 - 19.00
Closed : Thursdays and public holidays.

Birla Academy of Art and Culture Museum

Birla Academy of Art and Culture Museum was established in 1966. Collections include paintings of the mediaeval period as well as modern art and some archaeological specimens. The Museum holds regular exhibitions of modern Indian sculptors and painters.
Address : 108-109, Southern Avenue, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 16.00 - 20.00 (Weekdays)
Closed Tuesdays
Sunday hours : 13.00 - 20.00

Crafts Museum

Crafts Museum was established in 1950.(Formerly of the Indian Institute of Art in Industry). Collections include rural arts and crafts of different regions of India including ivories, metal objects and textiles from West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Maharashtra, U.P, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karanataka and Tamil Nadu. Maintains a good library and photographic records.
Address : 9-12, Old CourtHouse Street, Kolkata
Note : Timings : 10.00 - 17.00 on Weekdays.

Ethnographic Museum

Ethnographic Museum was established in 1955 It was built by the Cultural Research Institute, Govt. of West Bengal. Objects on view include hunting tools and equipment, fishing gears, dresses and ornaments, utensils, furniture, spinning and weaving aids and also objects relating to art, religion and 'magic'. Stores photograph and tape-records of folk music depicting lifestyle of the tribes of this state.
Address : Cultural Research Institute, Tribal Welfare Development,
Government of West Bengal, New Secretariat Buildings, 1, K. S Roy Road, Kolkata
Note : Timings : 10.30 - 17.00 only Weekdays.

Government Industrial And Commercial Museum

Government Industrial and Commercial Museum was established in 1939. Collections include handicrafts, cottage and small-scale industry products of West Bengal. Distributed over eight sections covering textiles, dolls and toys, handicrafts, commercial products, models and statistical charts. Runs a library and a free reading room. Activities include exhibitions guide-lecture services and symposia.
Address : 45, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 10.30 - 17.30 only on Weekdays
Saturday : 10.00 -13.00 hrs.

Industrial Safety, Health And Welfare Museum

This Museum is run by the Regional Labor Institute, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Govt. of India. Exhibits depict industrial safety devices, different classes of health hazards and remedial measures, accident prevention method including occupational health. Organizes safety training programs for workers.
Address : Lake Town, Patipukur, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 10.00 - 17.00 except Second Saturday and Sundays.

Institute of Port Management Museum

Collects and displays different aspects with special reference to the problems of Kolkata Port Trust and the Hooghly river channel. Displays models of dredgers, lock-gate systems, berths and modern docking facilities.
Address : Institute of Port Management, 40 Circular Reach Road, Kolkata.

Jute Museum, Jute Technological Research Laboratories. C.A.R.

Jute Museum, Jute Technological Research Laboratories, I. C. A. R. was established :1936. A Departmental Museum under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research; displays various facets of the jute and allied fabrics, charts showing chemical properties , structure and machining of the fiber, also decorative, industrial and household products derived from jute. Popular with research workers, technologists, foreign traders and tourists interested in information about jute and jute fabrics.
Address : 12, Regent Park, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 10.00 - 17.00 only on Weekdays.

Municipal Museum

Municipal Museum was established in 1932. Run by the Corporation of Kolkata. It has got some displays on public and civil health and indigenous products.
Address : College Street Market (North Block), Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 10.30 - 17.00 Closed on Sundays and other holidays.

Netaji Museum

Netaji Museum was established 1961. Collections kept in the ancestral house of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose include personal effects, photographs, letters of Netaji and other documents. The Bureau also sells books written on Netaji. Has a good collection of photographs and documents on India's struggle for freedom.
Address : 38/2, Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani, Kolkata.
Note : Timings : 16.00 - 20.00 (Weekdays); 09.00 - 12.00(Sundays)