The museum in question is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) earlier known as Prince of Wales Museum of Western India that turned a century old on 10th of January 2022. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, it was also declared the recipient of the prestigious ‘2022 Award of Excellence of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation’ on 26th of November 2022!
History
Before Prince Charles of Wales visited Bombay along with Princess of Wales in November of 1905, a meeting was held at the Town Hall by prominent citizens of Bombay, each outstanding contributors in their own field and resolved to erect a memorial in the form of a public museum to commemorate the visit of Prince of Wales. When the Prince arrived in November the Foundation Stone of the Museum was laid by him on the 11th of November 1905. The cost of the construction was fulfilled by public contribution aided by the then Government of the Bombay Presidency.
A representation of the cultural heritage that would provide the public to understand the tradition was premise of the construction of the museum. Although the building was completed in 1914, it was made accessible to public only from 10th of January 1922. Until then it served as a military hospital during World War I and the Spanish flu and also as Children’s Welfare Exhibitions.
The Architecture
The architect of the building, George Wittet, who is known for its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture became the chosen after an open competition in 1909. Indo-Saracenic style is a blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture that presents diverse architectural elements like cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass. However, the buildings in India that used Indo-Saracenic style of architecture incorporated a touch of British imperial structures like pointed arch, vaulted roof, pinnacles, pierced open arcade and open pavilions. The influence of British rule added the influence of the Gothic revival and Neo-Classical styles to the already existing hybrid of Indian architecture and Islamic architecture.
Similarly, in CSMVS the Indian architectural style is visible in pillared hall, the arched pavilion while the geometric pattern of the dome and intricate latticework shows Islamic influence.
The Sections of The Museum
Housing 70,000 artefacts that includes an astounding collection of terracottas, sculptures, bronzes, Indian miniature paintings, Indian decorative arts, porcelain and ivories from China and Japan, excavated artefacts from Indus Valley sites, European paintings and decorative arts and many more items, the museum has specific section for every kind of antiquity. Additionally, there is a separate section for Numismatics and natural History.
Galleries
There are 19 galleries that include:
- Indian Sculptures
- Ancient Sculptures
- Buddhist Art
- Jain Art
- Inscription Gallery
- Ajayabghar
- Circular Gallery of Visual Art
- Krishna Art Gallery
- Indian Metal & Decorative Art Gallery
- Himalayan Art Gallery
- Indian Miniature Painting Gallery
- Prints and Drawings Gallery
- Jewellery Gallery
- Money Gallery
- Indian Textiles and Costume Gallery
- Natural History Galleries
- Special Exhibitions Gallery
- Children’s Museum
- Jehangir Nicholson Art Gallery
Library
With a collection of over 30,000 books, periodicals, dictionaries, directories, encyclopaedias, atlases, gazetteers, reports of the Archaeological Survey of India, and reports on Indian Epigraphy, this library museum is one of the oldest reference libraries in the country. The genre of the book collection is vast that includes subjects of ancient Indian history and culture, architecture, religion, anthropology, mythology, natural history, museology, conservation, archaeology, art, history and civilisation, geography, numismatics, Sanskrit literature and many more themes.
In fact, the library also contains a significant collection of 200 rare books that comprises of some substantial manuscripts mentioned below
- The Hymns of the Sacred Law of the Atharva Veda by Griffith and Ralph
- Jataka Volumes 4, 5, 6 by V. Fausbøll (1896)
- Periplus of the Erythrean Sea by W. H. Schoff (1912)
- The Seven Lamps of Architecture by John Ruskin (1891)
- The Ain-I-Akbari, Volumes I & II by Abul Allami
- Bombay Western Volumes I & II by James Douglas (1893)
- Life And Teaching of john Ruskin by Mather J Marshall (1883)
- The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy by Rawlinson George (1873)
- History of the Early Kings of Persia by David Shea (1832)
- Ancient and Medieval India Volumes I & II by Mrs. Manning (1869)
- India in Greece by E. Pococke (1852)
- Essays On Indian Antiquities by Edwards Thomas, (1858)
- Life Of Michel Angelo Volumes I & II by Herman Grimm (1877)
- Artists and Arabs by Henry Blackburn (1878)
- Wonders of Flora by John B. Seely (1824)
- Selected Views in Mysore by Home (1794)
However, not all are allowed within the library premises. Graduate and Postgraduate students, Research Scholars and individuals pursuing serious study are allowed within inside its doors.
Children’s Museum
Of the expansive 10,000 sq. ft dedicated to the Children’s Museum, 1200 sq. ft features the exhibition hall, an activity plaza, a 150-seater amphitheatre, an open terrace deck, a meet-up zone around a 95-year-old Baobab tree, where an artificial excavation trench in the middle of the green patch provides the vibe of an actual excavation site.
Museum Shop
Not a usual characteristic of most museums, but one that makes CSMVS all the more relatable to public is its museum shop. Donning a wide range of items that covers articles like greeting cards, brochures, bag with designs inspired from the art objects, bead necklaces, repousse copper plates, embroidered silk scarves, purses, posters, this is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir on the way out.
Entry Fee
- Indian Adults – INR 150
- Defence Personnel / Indian Senior Citizens (with Service ID card) – INR 100
- Children (5-15 years) – INR 35
- College Student (with valid ID card) – INR 75
- Adult Foreign Visitor (above 15 years) – INR 700
- Child Foreign Visitor (under 15 years) – INR 200
- More information – https://csmvs.in/visit-us/
- Audio Guide: INR 75
- Handheld Camera (without Tripod) – INR 200
Entry Timing
10.15 am to 6.00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
Ticket-counter closes at 5.45 pm
The Museum remains closed on the following public holidays
- January 26 – Republic Day
- May 1 – Maharashtra Day
- August 15 – Independence Day
- October 2 – Gandhi Jayanti
The origin of the earliest known public museum is supposed to be Ennigaldi-Nanna’s museum that was in 530 BCE. The word that originates from Ancient Greek ‘mouseion’ denoted a place or temple that would keep documents and items of art, philosophy and research. Staying true to its meaning, over the years the concept of museum has evolved and included a lot more articles for the public to ascertain the history, art, culture, socio-economic standing of various eras. CSMVS is no different. But what may seem astonishing is the exquisite collection of antiquities is commands that have either been donated or been handed as a part of exchange between museums.
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