Indore Central Museum: Recce the 10th Century Riches

Indore Central Museum is a 5-minute walk from the Kamla Nehru Zoological Park and is without a doubt the city’s most visited landmark for many reasons. As a result, I strongly advise that you visit both landmarks in order. Returning to the Central Museum, it seemed as if I was entering into a scene from a 10th-century stage as I first drove into this calm and practically empty house of antiquity. 

Indore Central Museum, which dates from the early 19th-century, houses a remarkable collection of sculptures, coins, and miniature models dating from 901 to 1000 BC. The Museum is a small facility with antique sculptures and coins enclosed in wooden cases, but it is the courtyard that transports you to another age.

Indore Central Museum

I deemed the museum as a modest vertically-built building with a small courtyard from the ticket desk. An entry ticket of INR 20 (and an additional INR 50 for a professional camera) gave me access to the galleries. But my instincts urged me to stroll around this open arena to have a better look at the medieval Hindu sculptures. I started with the Red terracotta replica of an old Vishnu Temple that signifies the exemplars of the 13th-century Jain Tirthankara Adinath.

If you look attentively, you’ll see a little figurine of a reclining Buddha on the main door of this red-brick temple. Don’t forget to show respect to the Parmar Dynasty’s stone sculptures before moving forward. In all honesty, seeing such priceless artwork strewn about is not a pleasant gateway of thoughts. But, the knowledge they exude, suffices.

Starting with the Red terracotta model of an ancient Vishnu-Temple which symbolises the principles of the 13th-century Jain Tirthankara Adinath. (Look closely, and you will see a small figurine of Buddha on the main door of this red brick modelled temple) To, finishing it by appreciating stone figures and the sculptures from the Parmar Dynasty!

There are roughly three galleries inside the Indore Central Museum that include medieval to modern-era tools, miniature models, seals, coins, armour, and copper inscriptions. The majority of which is an irreplaceable 10th-century collection that should preferably be kept in tight security.

Arms and ammunition from the Holkar Dynasty are on display at the Indore central museum. According to legend, this armour recalls the Holkar Raj period, when the Kings surrendered to the British. The museum also includes a shop where you may buy reproductions for a price tag. Despite all this, the central museum is not as well-kept as many other museums carrying a similar collection of antiques.

Regardless, the antiquities of the Malwa area are well worth a visit. The museum is closed on Mondays, so schedule your visit on a different day of the week.

Spread the love

 

 

 

 Tweet