National Museum at New Delhi : A Unique Treasure of India’s Rich Heritage

National Museum at New Delhi : A Unique Treasure of India’s Rich

Heritage

National Museum, New Delhi

‘Nataraja’ – 12^th cent.CE, Bronze , Chola Empire, Tamilnadu.

Lord Buddha image with distinctive robe, 2^nd cent.CE,  Gandhara Art.

Normally a museum is a place where rare things of historical importance are displayed. But the National Museum at New Delhi , is quite different in a way that it houses a wide range of sculptures, artefacts, coins, musical instruments, etc. right from beginning of human civilization. It gives us opportunity to peep into the bygone era through the artefacts displayed here. It gives us live pictures about life style of our forefathers, caliber of earlier artists, cultural & religious concepts of society, economic & commercial activities, mode of agriculture & other livelihood, making of handicrafts and almost all aspects and timeline of human civilization.

Recently we got opportunity to visit the famous National Museum located at Janpath, New Delhi. Here a modest attempt has been made through pictorial display of some of the famous artefacts we witnessed during our brief visit.

Interesting Displays at National Museum

(A)     Sculptures & Artefacts

Intricately Carved Door Jamb

1. The earliest temples constructed during the Gupta Period ( c. 320 – 550 CE ) display trimmings or linings / branches along the door jamb known as ‘Sakha’. As per number of branches

provided at door jamb, it was called as trisakha, chatusakha, panchsakha, saptasakha or

navasakha. Each ‘Sakha’ consists of figures and pattern with an intention to create a sense of

positivity & safety for the temples as well as devotees.

2.  Door Lintel depicting ‘Navagraha Panel’ ,

   8^th century CE, Pratihara Dynasty, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

3.  ‘Mohini’ – A female representation of Vishnu, 12^th cent. CE, Western Chalukya, Gadag,

Karanataka.

4.  Devotees worshiping Shivalinga - 11 -12^th cent. CE, Chandela, Madhya Pradesh.

5. Famous ‘Dancing Girl’ Bronze image from Mohenjo-Daro, (c.2700 – 2000 BCE).

6. Famous ‘Copper Hoard’ from Harappa.

7. List indicating famous artefacts recovered from respective archaeological sites in India.

8.  A piece of ‘ Gateways’ from Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh.

9.  Elephants carrying Buddha’s relics – 2^nd cent. BCE, Shung Dynasty,Bharhut, Madhya Pradesh.

10.    ‘Adoration of Stupa’ – 3^rd cent. CE , Ikshvaku Dynasty, Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh.

11.    Sculptures depicting human faces of foreign devotees who made donations to the Stupas,

   Style – Gandhara Art.

12.    ‘Ayaga Frieze’ – depicts various life events of Buddha’s life and Jataka Tales, 3^rd cent. CE,

Ikshvaku Dynasty, Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh.

13.    ‘Kuber’ – King of Yakshas, God of wealth, prosperity & Treasures, 2^nd cent.CE, Kushana

Dynasty, Ahichchhatra, Uttar Pradesh.

14.    ‘Ganga’ – 5^th cent. CE, Ahichchhatra, Uttar Pradesh. Famous Terracotta sculpture of river

goddess Ganga mounted on ‘Makar’ – a mythical water creature having part crocodile &

part fish.

15.    ‘Yamuna’ – 5^th cent. CE, Ahichchhatra, Uttar Pradesh. Famous Terracotta sculpture of river

goddess Yamuna mounted on ‘Turtle’.

16.    ‘Ahilya Uddhar’ – Lord Rama redeeming Devi Ahilya, 5^th cent. CE, Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh.

17.    ‘Ekamukha Shivalinga’ – 5^th cent. CE, Gupta Empire, Madhya Pradesh.

18.    ‘Devaki & Vasudev’ - 5^th cent. CE, Gupta Empire, Madhya Pradesh.

19.    ‘Shiva Vamana’ – Lord Shiva in the form of a dwarf, 5^th cent. CE, Vakataka Dynasty,

Mansar, Maharashtra.

20.    ‘Mother Goddess’ – depicting feminine power & fertility, 6 – 7^th cent. CE, Vardhana,

Madhya Pradesh.

21.    ‘Vishnu’ – Four armed depicting symbols of Shankha (Conch), Chakra (Wheel),

Gada (Mace) & Padma (Lotus), 7^th cent. CE, Pallava Dynasty, South India.

22.    ‘Yogini Vrishanana’ – 10 -11^th cent. CE, Pratihara Dynasty, Lokhari, Banda, Uttar Pradesh.

23.    Different forms of ‘Bodhisattava’.

24.    ‘Devi’ – 12-13^th cent.CE, Bronze , Later Chola period, Tamilnadu.

25.    ‘ Subrahmanya’ also known as Skanda orKartikeya, 15 -16^th cent. CE, Vijanagar

Empire, Karnataka.

26.    ‘Saptamatrika’ – A group of seven Goddesses –

     Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi & Chamunda. Shiva on the

extreme left. 10^th cent. CE, Pratihara Period, North India.

27.    ‘Yama’ – God of death, 19^th cent. CE, Wood,Tanjore, South India.

28.    Peacock – Vahan (vehicle) of Lord Kartikeya.19^th cent. CE, Wood, Tanjore, South India.

29.    Vishnu – wood, South India.

30.    Intricately carved wooden Door -18^th cent. CE, South India.

31.    ‘Somaskanda’ – Four –armed Shiva seated with Uma and son Skanda ( or Kartikeya ).

7^thcent. CE, Pallava Dynasty.

(B)       Masks, Agricultural Implement &Traditional Costumes

32.    Collection of various Masks.

33.    Fishing & Agricultural Implements made of Bamboo.

34.    Hats & Head Gears of North-East India.

35.    Traditional Costume of Angami Naga, Nagaland.

                     ( C ) Musical Instruments

36.    Image of goddess Saraswati – made of Bamboo mats.

37.    Various type of ‘Sarangi’.

38.    Various Stringed Musical Instruments.

39.    Various Percussion Musical Instruments.

40.    Various Drums, Trumpets, Violins.

41.    ‘Swarmandal’ or ‘Surmandal’ – an Indian Harp or Zither.

42.    Harmonium

Different Musical Instruments of Bygone Era

                       (D) Wood Carvings

43.    ‘Dashavatar’ – 10 incarnations of Vishnu, 19^thcent. CE, Carved, Tamilnadu.

44.    Panel depicting Shiva family

45.    Panel depicting Rukmani & Krishna

46.    Carving of an Apsara , carved & painted,17^th  cent. CE, Gujarat.

47.    Different Techniques of Wood – carvings in India

48.    Lattice Work Decorated Door Frame, 19^th cent. CE, Patan, Gujarat.

(E) Coins ( Numismatics )

49.    Coins of East India Company

50.    Coins of British India & Post Independence

51.    Coins of Independent States

52.    Coins of North – Eastern States

53.    Coins of Manipur

54.    Coins of North - East

55.    Coins of Ancient India (during Samudragupta period )

56.    Coins of Kanishka 

57.    Sun God (Surya Dev) , 13^th cent. CE, from the Sun Temple, Konarak, Odisha.

58.    Sculpture on the backyard of the National Museum

The artistic imagination and expression in the form of sculptures & artefacts are the most magnificent and unparalleled. A visit to the National Museum at New Delhi, may impart bliss as well as proud moment for our glorious past & unique heritage.

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