Jammu-kashmir Museums
Sri Pratap Singh Museum
Sri Pratap Singh Museum was once summer palace of the Kashmir maharajas. In
1898 the building became a the museum and the nucleus of the collection was
based on ovjects from the Jammu and Kashmir toshkhana. These include shawls,
paintings, arms and armoury, silver images, copper and jade ornaments, copper
and brass utensils and Ladkhi hadicrafts.
Archaeological objects were axquired from excavations at Pandrethan, Parashpura
and Avantipura and include pottery, terracotta tiles, metal and stone objects
dating from the 2nd to 12th century AD. Life size status of the Buddha, Vishnu,
Shiva and Brahma are displayed chronological. Stone inscriptions in the Sharda,
Persian and Arabic scripts depict the excellence of calligraphy. Ninth century
potter}7 from Avantipura, 2nd century terracotta tiles from Hoinar (Pahalgam)
and 3rd century Harwan tiles are also displayed.
The museum has more than 200 textiles which include the famed jamewar, spreads,
gabbas and rumals dating from the Afghan period (1752 to 1947). The most outstanding
piece is a map of Srinagar done in needlework. This was prepared during ihe
reign of maharaja Ranjil Singh and presented to the Prince of Wales when he
visited Kashmir. Later 'si was auctioned in England (rom where 11 found its
way back to Kashmir. The iiiap has been embroidered according 10 (he topography
of Srinagar as it was at that lime and depicts the important buildings, mosques,
temples, gardens,rivers, bridges and lakes.
Dogra Art Gallery
In the early 60s small museum was established in Jammu to represent Dogra art
and heritage. The objects in the museum are diverse. At the entrance there is
beautifully carved image of Uma Mahesha, believed to date back to the 10th century
AD and a black marble Shiva. On the walls are photographic depictions of Dogra
architecture as seen in forts, palaces and temples. Also on the walls are a
variety of weapons, crucial implements for a martial race. There are swords,
large knives, khukaries, pistols, revolvers, copper and iron armoury to shield
parts of the body like head, chest, arms, elbows and legs. Used by the Dogra
army these date to the 18th century. Also on view is a bow reputed to belong
to the Shah Jahan period.
Two glass cupboards contain terracotta objects excavated from the prehistoric
site of Ambran, 30 km from Jammu. Some terracotta busts of women with typical
Gandhara facial features and Greek hairstyles are believed to date between the
4th and 8th century AD.There are also a number of royal costumes and spreads.
One treasun intricate Gian Chousar, embroidered myriad colours, with 365 columns
arranged horizontally and vertically witi a motif in each column. Other embroideries
depict scenes from the Ras Leela.
The rich collection of miniature paintings represents examples from the Jammu,
Basbhli and Kangra schools remarkable Basohli paintii portray birds, animals
and foliage with great skill and finesse. Besides these there are coins, silver
and copper ornaments and Sanskrit and Pharsi manuscripts which hav emulti- coloured
borders and begin with figures painted in different colours. Finally there are
portraits of Dogra kings including one of Gulab Singh, founder of the dynasty.
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