Uttar Pradesh Museums
State Museum, Lucknow
The museum in Lucknow, once situated in the historic Choti Chattar Manzil and
the Lai Baradari, erstwhile coronation hall of the nawabs ofAvadh, moved in
1963 to its new premises, a modern three storeyed structure situated incongruously
in the the Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens.
Archeological Museum, Varanasi
The Archaeological Museum ai Varanasi concentrates on excavated discoveries
like sculpture, architectural fragments and old coins. Also on view are paintings.
Bharat Kala Bhavan, Varanasi
Bharat Kala Bhavan lies within the sprawling grounds ofBanaras Hindu University.
Its outstanding collection of sculpture, paintings and textiles began with the
private collection of the enlightened Rai Krishnadasa.
Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum, Varanasi
Across the Ganga lies the Ramnagar fort, ancestral home of the Maharajas of
Banaras. The museum consequently displays weapons, manuscripts, palanquins and
the decorative arts. On view is an astronomical clock, textiles and paintings.
Two outstanding objects are a textile woven with ivory and a pictorial depiction
of Dussehra celebrations on the river which involves a colourful procession
of boats.
Allahabad Museum, Allahabad
Allahabad Museum was formally inaugurated in 1947 by India's first prime minister,
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The collection, both reserve and on display, is large
and varied and spreads across 18 galleries. The objects on view include prehistoric
and Indus Valley antiquities, stone sculpture, terracotta, bronzes, seals, beads,
coins, inscriptions, miniature paintings, Buddhist thankas, textiles. weapons,
medieval/irman'i and land grants, documents and the personal effects of Nehru
and material relating to the freedom movement.
Government Museum, Mathura
The museum in Mathura was conceived and established in 1874 by F S Growse, the
then collector. Originally called the Curzon Museum of Archaeology, the name
changed to Government Museum after it celebrated its centenary in 1974. Planned
as a repository of local sculpture styles, the galleries trace the evolution
of the Mathura school of art. It is believed that the first Buddha image emerged
here. The sculptors were inspired by depictions of meditating Jain tirthankaras
and the earlier more robust yakshas and yakshis to figuratively portray the
Buddha.
Archeological Museum, Sarnath
Tranquil Sarnath where ihe Buddha delivered his first sermon more than 2500
years ago has a site museum whose prize exhibit is the enormous lion capital
(2.31 in). Now the emblem of independent India, this capital once surmounted
an Ashokan pillar erected to mark the spot where the Buddha preached. Carved
in pale yellowish-grey sandstone with black flecks, the sculpture has the characteristic
highly polished surface. At the entrance hall are two figures of Buddha, one
of which portrays the historic events at Sarnath. There are many other Buddha
and bodhisattvaifigures on view. Among these the most outstanding is the Gupta
period Buddha with hand raised in Abhaya or protection.
Archeological Museum, Haridwar
The museum, established in 1945, exhibits some interesting prehistoric relics.
There are also other archaeological discoveries like sculpture, terracotta and
coins. Alongwith these are collections of manuscripts, paintings and miscellaneous
objects.
Government Educational Museum, Muzaffarnagar
Government Educational Museum, Muzaffamagar On view at the Government Educational
Museum are a number of rare antiquities like stone sculpture, metal images,
terracotta and coins. Juxtaposed with these are paintings, dolls in various
traditional costumes, stamps and cannons.
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