The Indian Museum

The Indian Museum, based in Kolkata, was founded in 1814. Its genesis was driven by the Asiatic Society of Bengal, a body of scholarly individuals who sought to document the rich history, culture, and natural history of India. The museum was the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, showcasing a variety of exhibits including archaeology, art, anthropology, and geology.

The Indian Museum played an instrumental role in initiating several important surveys in the country, such as the Geological Survey of India, the Zoological Survey of India, and the Botanical Survey of India. These surveys were essential for documenting the diverse resources of India and were initiated from within the museum itself, before eventually growing into separate, autonomous organizations.

Following India's independence in 1947, the Indian Museum underwent considerable changes in its ideology and function. The museum's mission shifted from being primarily a site of colonial knowledge gathering to a national institution aimed at fostering a sense of national identity and cultural heritage. It began focusing more on the representation and preservation of India's diverse cultural and natural heritage, playing a vital role in promoting Indian history, art, and natural history.

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Photograph of the Indian Museum, c. 1905