A Voyage Through Time:

Exploring the Tapestry of

India's Heritage at the
National Museum
By Muskan
Singh

Date- 14 November, 2023

Visits are always beautiful and fill a person’s mind with joy
and enthusiasm. But if that visit is educational, learning
based, that provides us invaluable knowledge as wel l. On
Tuesday, November 7 we, students of our college from
history department and students who had opted museum
and muse-ology as their skill enhancement course visited
the National Museum. I felt a palpable excitement to
unravel the mysteries and stories woven into the fabric of
India's rich heritage. The National Museum, standing
majestically near India Gate, promised an immersive
journey through the epochs, beckoning me to traverse the
corridors of time and witness the echoes of bygone eras.
The National Museum is one of the premier cultural
institutions in the country, showcasing a vast and diverse
collection of artifacts that span centuries and reflect the
rich history and cultural heritage of India. At around 10:00
AM we all the students with our respected teachers to
receive their priceless guidance boarded in metro nearest
to our college. At the stroke of 11:00 AM, I found myself at
the entrance of the National Museum, greeted by the
amalgamation of architectural splendor and historical
significance. The museum is conveniently located in the
heart of Delhi, near India Gate, making it easily accessible.
The exterior of the museum is grand and imposing, giving
visitors a sense of the cultural treasures housed within its
walls. The entrance was well-organized, with efficient
ticketing and security checks. The ticketing process was
seamless, setting the stage for a day of discovery. Passing
through the gates, I stepped into a sanctuary where
antiquity and modernity converged in perfect harmony.
The museum building was so huge and well maintained
with tight security. It has three floors with several rooms
art galleries and many more aand we started exploring.

Journey Through Galleries: The museum unfolded like

a well-orchestrated symphony, with each gallery offering a
unique movement in the grand narrative of India's past.
The first crescendo was the Harappan Civilization
Gallery, a mesmerizing prologue to the journey. Here,
artifacts whispered tales of a civilization lost to time —
pottery, seals, and sculptures standing as silent sentinels
of a bygone era.

The first gallery on the ground floor of the National

Museum is the Harappan gallery. The collections in this
gallery grew out of the discoveries of the pioneering
excavations made during early 20th century, and later
after the India's independence in the year 1947. The
Harappan civilization is believed to be one of the oldest
world civilizations together with Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Objects in this gallery remain the richest and most
important of their kind in the world.

The Harappan civilization developed along the mighty

river, Indus and for that reason it is also known as the
Indus Valley Civilization. Most of the exhibits in this gallery
come from important centers of the Harappan Civilization
and ancient towns like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Nal (now
in present-day Pakistan), Dholavira, Kalibangan, Lothal
and Rakhigarhi (in India).

The Harappan civilization is identified as a Bronze-age

civilization because many objects have been found that
are made up of copper based alloys. For example, the
gallery displays the famous ‘dancing girl,’ a bronze
figurine that provides an insight into the advances made
in art and metallurgy, as well as the hairstyle and
ornaments prevalent during the period. The gallery
depicts the comparative chronology of four major Bronze
 Age civilizations in 3rd millennium B.C.E. which existed
simultaneously across the world. It also shows the major
Harappan sites and representation of the layout of a street
from Dholavira which gives the visitor a picture of the
urban civilization that flourished during the the time.

Helpweb-portal-policy

© Copy Female skeleton (165 cms) from the

harappan civilisation National Museum,
New Delhi, India.
 Bronze ‘Dancing Girl’Mohenjodaro c.2500 BC.Harappan

Civilization Gallery, New Delhi

Moving through the corridors, I found myself immersed in

the Maurya and Gupta Periods Gallery. Sculptures
from these golden ages stood as testaments to the artistic
zenith achieved during these epochs. The gallery
transported me to a time where art transcended mere
 aesthetics, becoming a mirror reflecting the soul of the
society it emerged from.
After the Indus Valley Civilization, India came into the age
of different rulers and dynasties. During the ancient and
medieval period of Indian history, many dynasties like the
Maurya, Shunga, Satavahana, Kushana, Gupta, Vardhanas,
Pratiharas (in the north), Palas, Sena (in the east),
Maitrakas (in the west), Chola, Chalukya, Hoysalas,
Vijayanagar, Nayakas (in the south) has emerged in a
different part of India. Various type of art was patronized
during this period which includes religious structures, Fort,
Mausoleums, and sculptures made of different materials
etc. Many selected examples of various art style, which
flourished simultaneously in different regions are exhibited
in the “Maurya, Sunga and Satavahana Art”, “Kushan and
Ikshvaku Art”, “Gupta Art, Early and late Medieval Art”
Galleries of National Museum, Delhi.

Gandhara Sculpture (2nd - 3rd century AD, National Museum,

Delhi)
 Flying Celestials',Early Western Chalukya, Aihole,
Sandstone.7th cent CE

Saraswati I 1200 AD - 1300 AD -Early Medieval I Chahamana

As I stepped into the Mughal and Rajput Art Gallery,

the ambiance changed. The air seemed to carry the
fragrant nostalgia of Mughal courts, where intricate
paintings and regal artifacts unveiled the opulence of a
bygone era. The vivid colors and attention to detail
painted a vivid portrait of India's royal past.The National
Museum has nearly 17,000 paintings, representing all
important styles of Indian miniatures. It is one of the
largest collections of miniature paintings in the country.
The Miniature painting tradition has been a key form of
Indian painting apart from murals, cloth paintings and
paintings on wood. Among miniature paintings, the main
schools have been- the Deccani (from the South), Mughal
(Spanning Central and North India), Rajasthani (West
India) and Pahari (From the hills of the North).

the main schools have been- the Deccani (from the

South), Mughal (Spanning Central and North India),
Rajasthani (West India) and Pahari (From the hills of the
North).
Textiles and Decorative Arts Gallery: emerged as an
enchanting intermezzo, where the delicate threads of
India's textile heritage were interwoven into a
kaleidoscope of colors. From ornate costumes to
meticulously crafted fabrics, each exhibit told a story of
craftsmanship passed down through generations. Every
culture has its distinct features, which is clearly reflected
in its art, ranging from tiles and wood carvings, ceramic or
metal utensils to textiles and jewellery. These functional
objects are created manually, and help us in
understanding the social, religious, commercial and
technological development of the society. Decorative Art
Gallery at The National Museum, Delhi provides a glimpse
of the extravagant lifestyle of the rulers and kingdoms
from the bygone era of Indian History.
Numismatics and Epigraphy Collection
Indian coinage has a long and rich historical tradition that
provides a key source of information of political and
economic changes. It also reflects the cultural and
aesthetic development of different periods and regions.

Jewellery
The Jewellery gallery at the national museum is called
‘Alamkara’ - The Beauty of Ornament, encompassing the
most extensive collection of jewellery in India, with more
than 250 items displayed here to tell the story of Indian
jewellery. From the beautifully tumbled agate bead
necklaces of Mohenjodaro and Harappa to the fabulous
jewels adorned with images of gods and goddesses to the
magnificent items that once reposed in the treasuries of
the Mughal emperors and the maharajas, the collection
spans important periods in Indian history. Spanning a
legacy of five thousand years, the jewellery of India is a
striking expression of the country’s aesthetic and cultural
history. Jewellery collection at the National Museum
celebrates diverse forms, the beauty of Indian design, and
the genius of Indian craftsmanship.

Central Asian Antiquities Collection

Being a crucial central part of Asia, frequent movements
of people from different regions, faith and culture resulted
in the emergence of composite cultural tradition. Hence,
we could see elements of Hellenistic, Sassanian, Uigurian,
Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian in the Central Asian Art. The
collection of Central Asian Antiquities with more than
twelve thousand artefacts are from Xinjiang region of
Chinese Turkistan which was discovered by Sir Aural Stein
during his three expeditions in 1900-1901, 1906-1908,
and 1913-1916 C.E. Many artefacts excavated and
discovered from the oasis along the ancient trade route
popularly known as Southern and Northern Silk Roads
have been exhibited in the Gallery of National Museum
called “Central Asian Art”. These antiquities are ranging
roughly from 3rd to the 12th century.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

The collection of Pre Columbian art donated by Mr & Mrs
Heeramaneek represents the principal cultures of the Pre-
Columbian world. An exquisite collection of artefacts from
Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and other
regions of South America are a part of the National
Museum collection.

The museum seamlessly blended tradition with

technology, incorporating interactive exhibits that served
as bridges between the past and the present.
Touchscreens, audio guides, and multimedia presentations
added layers of depth to the experience, transforming the
visit into an educational sojourn.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden hue
upon the ancient relics and modern wonders within the
National Museum, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense
of gratitude for the cultural odyssey I had just
experienced. The National Museum transcended its role as
a mere repository of artifacts; it stood as a custodian of
India's soul, a beacon that illuminated the intricate layers
of its history and heritage.

The journey through the galleries was akin to flipping

through the pages of a living, breathing chronicle. The
Harappan whispers, the Maurya and Gupta echoes, the
Mughal and Rajput resplendence, the delicate threads of
textiles, and the tranquil teachings of Buddhism, all
seamlessly stitched together, formed a rich tapestry that
encapsulated the essence of India's diverse past.

The interactive exhibits acted as bridges, connecting the

antiquity of the artifacts with the immediacy of the
present. Touchscreens brought ancient inscriptions to life,
audio guides narrated tales of forgotten empires, and
multimedia presentations wove a digital thread into the
fabric of tradition. This fusion of past and present,
tradition and technology, added a layer of depth to the
visit, making it not just a tour through history but an
immersive, educational experience.

Leaving the National Museum, I carried with me not just

memories of ancient artifacts but a profound appreciation
for the resilience and continuity of India's cultural
heritage. The museum had served as a time machine,
transporting me through the epochs, allowing me to
witness the evolution of a nation and the resilience of its
people.

In its grandeur and subtlety, the National Museum, Delhi,

had become a living testament to the vibrancy and
timelessness of India's story. The visit left an indelible
mark on my understanding of history, art, and the intricate
dance between tradition and progress. The National
Museum, with its curated treasures and captivating
narratives, is more than a cultural institution; it is a
custodian of identity, an archive of narratives, and a
sanctuary for those seeking to traverse the corridors of
time. I departed with a renewed sense of awe for the
cultural kaleidoscope that is India, grateful for the
opportunity to have been a part of its unfolding story.
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THANK YOU.

NAME- MUSKAN SINGH

COURSE- BA(H) HISTORY
ROLL NO. - 23518040
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