National Museum

The National Museum in New Delhi was officially inaugurated on August 15, 1949, in the Rashtrapati Bhawan by the Governor-General of India, R.C. Rajagopalachari. Its origins trace back to a successful exhibition of Indian art and artifacts held at the Royal Academy of Arts in London during 1947-48.

The collection from this exhibition was displayed in India, leading to the creation of a permanent museum. The foundation for the current museum building at Janpath was laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955, and the first part opened in 1960. The museum holds over 200,000 objects from Indian and foreign origins, spanning more than 5,000 years of history.

It covers a vast range of artifacts including ancient sculptures, coins, manuscripts, arms and armor, and paintings. The museum also houses an institute for the study and conservation of art. Under the guidance of its first director Grace Morley, the museum adopted modern display techniques to enhance visitor experience, earning international recognition. It functions as a premier cultural institution preserving India's diverse heritage and making art accessible to the public.