Rajasthan - the land of massive forts, sprawling palaces and intricately carved temples of colourful tribes and brave warriors, of unrivalled form of arts and crafts, unique dance and music traditions, is changing at a rapid pace. 

Its vast network of Museums in large and small towns, archaeological sites and the recently opened museums and art gallaries in the palaces of erstwhile rulers of old states help to preserve this great heritage for posterity. These pages provides a short introduction to some of these great treasure houses of the ancient land.

Situated in the heart of the old city and close to the railway station the museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570. It was here that the British envoy Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor Jahangir in 1616. What is today commonly known as Magazine is the palace quarters where the emperors lived. After British occupation in 1818 and during the first war of Independence in 1857 it was used as the Rajputana Arsenal by the British which gave the name magazine.

The Museum was started in 1908 by the Government of India with the object of collecting and preserving many unique objects of antiquarian interest which were lying uncared for and scattered all over Rajasthan. The Rajputana Museum as it is significantly named, has in its gallaries important exhibits from almost all the princely states. There is a library attached to this museum which contains rare books and important historical publications. The museum's main sections are devoted to Sculptures, Epigraphs, Protohistoric antiquities, Paintings, Arms and Weapons. Besides, there are objects from Adhai-din-ka-Jhopara and other exhibits lying in various godowns forming a large reserve collection.

(i) Sculptures constitute the most interesting section in this Museum. The collection is enormously rich and varies from periods ranging from the Gupta to the late Medieval period. Mention should be made here of the interesting Chaturmukh Shivlinga, Marriage of Lord Shiva from Kaman, Lingodbhava Mahesvara from Harashnath and other fine Shiva-Parvati panels from Katara (Bharatpur) and Kusma (Sirohi). There are a number of Surya, Vishnu (including a Trimurti) Hari-Hara, Lakshmi-Narayana, Revanta, Kubera and mother and child images in the collection. Of the female divinities the Saptamatrikas, Mahishasur-Mardini, kali, Jain Saraswati and early independent icons of various mother goddesses deserve special mention An excellent collection of sculptures from the Chauhan centre of Baghera (10th, 12th century A.D.) in Ajmer district, are also preserved here. A fine collection of Tirthankara images and rare images of Gomukha Yaksha and Saraswati are also on display in the Jain gallery of this Museum. Compared with this there are only a few Buddhist objects in the Museum. The artistic genius and wonderful craftsmanship of ancient Rajasthan, are reflected in the vast collection of this Museum.

(ii) The Epigraphical exhibits which number about one hundred, are unsurpassed in many respects. Of special interest among them are :-
Brahmi Inscription from Barli (assignable to circa 2nd century B.C.)

Inscribed slab from Nagari.

Samoli Inscription of Siladitya.

Jodhpur Inscription of Bauka.

Pratapgarh Inscription of Mahendrapala II.

Two slabs inscribed with the drama Harakeli Nataka from Adhai-din-ka-jhopra.

Slab containing drama Lalita Vigraharaj Nataka by Somdeva also from 

Adhai-din-ka-jhopra.

Barla inscription of Prithviraja Chauhan III.
(iii) A number of important copper plate grants add to the value of the rich collection of the museum. They include. 

Two copper plates of Maharaj Sarvanatha of Uchchhakapla (437-38 A.D. referring to kalachuri Era). 
Daulatpura copper plate of Pratihar Bhojadeva. 
Two copper plates from Banswara (forming one grant) of the paramar King Bhojadeva. 
Copper plate of Rana Kumbha of Mewar. 
iv. Of the early coins, there are punch marked, Sibi-Janpada, Indo-Greek, Indo-Sessanian, Kshatrapa, Kushan and Gupta coins preserved in the coin cabinet of this Museum. This also contains coins of the Rajput rulers and also of the Mughal and Pathan rulers.

iv. Paintings section contains more than a hundred exhibits, including a dozen rare Rajasthani paintings of which a Rajput Chief, Birbal a Muslim Prince and Farrukshyar deserve mention. These paintings (copies only) depict well known Rajput Kings.
Timing : 9.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

Housed in the old City Palace, it has a unique collection of arms, bidri work, lacquered and ivory work, musical instruments, stuffed animals, beautiful brass and pottery works from Jaipur, Multan, Bengal and Ceylon, miniature paintings and Persian and Sankrit manuscripts.

The museum is divided into three major sections, each housed in a big hall. The first section contains various archaelogical finds chiefly sculptures and inscriptions from the region. Items presented by the ruler of the former Alwar state include mounted skins of wild animals like tiger, leopard and lion shot by them during their local and foreign excursions.

The second section is the most important one as it contains various manuscripts in persian including Gulistan of S'adi as well as marvellous paintings of Mughal and Rajput Schools. The paintings have been further divided into various sub-styles.

The third section of the museum contains the armoury of State rulers. Various kinds of shields, swords, pistols, rifles, daggers and other items are on display.
Timing : 9.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

Located in Dil-e-Aaram Gardens, of Amer, the ancient capital of Jaipur, and established in 1949. Prior to this, the excavated material from Rairh, Bairat, Sambhar and Nagar etc. and the sculptures and epigraphs collected from various sites in the erst while Jaipur State were housed at Vidyadhar Gardens in Purana Ghat. In July 1949 the entire collection was transferred to Dil-e-Aaram Garden, a part of the old palace at Amer. An Art Gallery was inaugurated in 1992 in this complex.

The museum is divided into three sections:- 

Archaeological section, which contains material recovered from excavations at Rairh, Bairat, Sambhar, Nagar, Pamvar, Bansi and Virat Nagar. 
Sculpture section. 
Epigraphy section. 
There are two Yupa pillars (sacrificial posts) with inscriptions from Barnala;Pratihar sculptures from Abhaneri (8th centurly A.D.) and Terracotta from Rairh, Bairat, Sambhar and Nagar belonging to an early historical period. The mateirl is arranged in chronological sequence, making the visitor familiar with the contribution of Rajasthan in various fields of art through the ages.
Open : Daily between 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

Click here to see the museums at Bairat, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Chittaurgarh and Dungarpur. 

Click here to see the museums at Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jhalawar and Jodhpur.

Click here to see the museums at Kota, Mount Abu, Pali, Pilani, Tonk and Udaipur.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
How to get to AIR : Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaiplie lie on the Indian Airlines route that links Delhi to Bombay.

RAIL : Most of the Rajasthan is accessible by a network of rail services. An excellent connection to to all the metropolitan cities is available from Jaipur.There are many superfast trains running on the broad guage now. Other places too are linked by superfast passenger and express trains. Since rail journeys are usually long because of the distances involved, it is advisable to carry light snacks and water bottles as most station enroute do not serve much by way of food. Rajasthan State Roadway coaches link most of tourist places and business centres in and around the state. Chauffeur-driven air conditioned cars can be hired through the State Tourist Office and other approved operators.

Some important road distances from Jaipur are Agra 240 kms, Delhi 261 kms, Jodhpur 332 kms, Ajmer 131 kms, Nathdwara 355 kms, Alwar 142 kms, Bikaner 321 kms, Jaisalmer 654 kms, Bharatpur 176 kms and Udaipur 406 kms.

What to wear- Woolens during winter and cottons in summer months.