The recent announcement of the demolition of the National Museum in New Delhi has sent shockwaves through the cultural landscape of India. This monumental decision entails relocating the museum’s precious artifacts to the North and South Blocks, ultimately paving the way for the creation of the YugYugeen Bharat Indian Museum.
The announcement was made as a part of Central Vista project. The total area to be demolished is 4.5 lakh square metres.
Yet, the history of the National Museum is a tribute to India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. It all began with the visionary Maurice Gwyer Committee in May 1946, which laid the blueprint for its establishment.
In 1947-48, an Exhibition of Indian Art, featuring carefully selected artifacts from various museums across India, was displayed at the Royal Academy in London. This exhibition, made possible through the cooperation of the Government of India and Britain, was a remarkable showcase of India’s artistic heritage. Following its success, a decision was made to bring these invaluable exhibits back to India for a grand display in Delhi.
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In 1949, an exhibition was organized within the splendor of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence, in New Delhi. This event was a resounding success and played a key role in the creation of the National Museum, paving the way for its establishment. On August 15, 1949, the National Museum was formally inaugurated at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by Shri R.C. Rajagopalachari, the Governor-General of India, marking a momentous occasion in the nation’s history.
The foundation of the present National Museum building was laid by the former prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on May 12, 1955. This marked the beginning of the construction of a dedicated space to house India’s remarkable cultural heritage. The first phase of the National Museum building was officially inaugurated on December 18, 1960, by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Vice President of India, further solidifying the institution’s significance.
The second phase of the building’s construction was completed in 1989, expanding its capacity to preserve and showcase an even wider range of artifacts. Over the years, the National Museum has diligently grown its collection, soliciting gifts and loans of artifacts from State Governments, museum authorities, and generous private donors who were inspired by its mission.
Today, the National Museum boasts an extraordinary collection of approximately 2,00,000 objects of diverse nature, encompassing both Indian and foreign artifacts. These holdings span more than five thousand years of Indian cultural heritage, reflecting the nation’s rich and multifaceted history.
Throughout its evolution, the National Museum has seen changes in its administrative oversight. Initially overseen by the Director General of Archaeology, it became a separate institution under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in 1957. In the present day, the National Museum operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
In its commitment to preserving and sharing India’s cultural heritage, the National Museum has embarked on a special project to digitize its collection of objects. This initiative aims to make the museum’s holdings accessible online, facilitating research, curation, and public engagement. The digitization process utilizes ‘JATAN,’ a collection management system developed by the Centre for Development of Smart Computing (C-DAC) Pune, designed to create digital collection management systems for Indian museums.
While the National Museum stands as a symbol of India’s cultural wealth, it is also witnessing changes in its physical surroundings. The Central Vista Project, a government initiative, is set to transform the area, including the demolition of the National Museum building, which has sparked various perspectives on heritage preservation and the allocation of resources.
From a different perspective, some question the wisdom of such actions, suggesting that rather than dismantling this heritage, the government should prioritize investment in the public sector. This endeavor to reshape the landscape aligns with the broader goal of redefining India’s identity, but it also raises concerns about the consequences of such dramatic changes.
In sum, the National Museum, New Delhi, is more than just a repository of historical artifacts; it is a living tribute to India’s vibrant and enduring cultural legacy.
