The Museum was
started in 1908 by the Government of India with the object of
collecting and preserving many unique objects of antiquarian interest
which were lying uncared for and scattered all over Rajasthan.
The rajputan Museum as it is significantly named, has in its galleries
important exhibits from almost all the princely States. There
is a library attached to his museum which cotains rare books and
important historical publications.
It is Situated in the heart of old city and close to the railway
station. The museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace
built by the Mughal Emperor Jahagir in 1616. The museum's main
sections are devoted to Sculptuters, epigraphs, Protohistoric
antiquities, Arms andWeapons. Besides, there are objects from
Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpara and other exhibits lying in various godowns
forming a large reserve collection. Sculptures constiture the
most interesting section in this Museum. The collection is enormously
rich and varies from periods ranging from the Gupta to the late
Medieval period. Mention should be made here of the interesting
Chaturmukh Shivliga, Marriage of Lord Shiva from Kaman, Lingodbhava
Mahesvara from Harashnath and other fine Shiva-Parvati panels
from Katara (Bharatpur) and Kusma (Sirohi).
There are a number of surya ,vishnu (including a trimurty)
Hari Hara lakshmi-Narayan, revanta, kuber and Mother & child
images in the collection. Of the female divinities the saptamatrikas,
Mahisasur-Mardini, Kali, jain saraswati and early independent
icon of various mother goddesses deserve special mention. An
execellant collection of sculptures from the Chauhan centre
of Baghera (10th 12th A.D.) in Ajmer District, are also preserved
here. A fine collection of Tirthankara images and rare images
of Gomukha Yaksha and Saraswati are also on display in the Jain
gallery of this Museum. Compared with this there are only a
few Buddhist objects in the Museum. The artistic genius and
wonderful craftsmenship of ancient Rajasrthan, are reflected
in the vast collection of the Museum. The Epigraphical exhibits
which number about one hundred, are unsurpassed in many respects
having special interest among their are : Brahmi inscription
from Barli (assignable to circa 2nd century B.C.), Inscribed
slab from Nagari. Samoli Inscription of Siladitya. Jodhpur Inscription
of Bauka. Pratapgarh Inscription of Mahendrapala II.
Two slabs inscribed with the Drama Harakeli Nataka from Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra.
Slab containing drama Lalita Vigraharaj Nataka by somodeva also
from Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra. Barla inscription of Prithiviraja
Chauhan III. A number of important copper plate grants add to
the value of rich collection of museum. They include. Two copper
plates of Maharaj Sarvanatha of Uchchhakapla (437-38 A.D. refferring
to Kalachuri Era). Daulatpura copper plateof partihar Bhojadeva.
Twocopperplates form Banswara forming one grant of the Paamar
King Bhojadeva. Ciopper plate of Rana Kumbhja of Mewar. Of the
early coins, there are punch marked,Sibi-Janpada, Indo-Greekm
Indo Sassanian, Kushan and gupta coins preserved in the coin
cabinet of this Museum.This also contains coins of the Rajput
rulers and also contains coins of this museum.This also contains
coins of the Rajput rulers and also of the mughal and pathan
rulers. Pintings section contains more than one hudred exhibits,
including a dozen rare Chief, Birbal, A Muslim Prince and Farrukshyar
deserve mention.
