Museums always attract history and art lovers across the world due to the historical importance. It is a place where exhibits that are related to famous personalities and have historical significance, are kept to display. Pune has a rich culture and its museums show that. Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra and that is why it has many big and small museums showing lots of ancient stuff like coins, paintings, musical instruments, arms, textiles, toys etc. Museums in Pune are as under:
Tilak MuseumAs the name suggests the Tilak museum is dedicated to well known personality Lokmanya Tilak and various things used by him are displayed in the museum. The major attraction of the museum is the copy of famous book “Gita Rahasya” is kept here. It is written by Tilak himself in Mandale. This museum is located at the Kesari press in Narayan Peth which is few kilometres away from the Pune station and can be reached by PMC transport or auto rickshaw.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar MuseumThis museum reminds us the various aspects of the life of a legend who was a freedom fighter and has written the Indian constitution. You can see here the chair where he used to rest and the table where he has written the Indian constitution. Other things on display include utensils used by the family of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the dining table, his silver specs, his suitcases, one silver ink bottle which was a gift from then governor Mount Batten, his bed where he breathed his last, etc. There is one statue of Babasaheb in marble stone. This museum is located in Senapati Bapat Road. It is a place worth visiting.
Mahatma Phule MuseumPreviously known as the Lord Ray Museum, the Mahatma Phule Museum was started in the year 1890. This museum exhibits various industrial products, agricultural and handicraft items. It also has the samples of body structure of different animals from elephant to seal fish on display that is worth seeing. The museum is located at the Ghole Road in Shivaji Nagar. Well connected with main parts of Pune.
National War MuseumThe National War Museum was established in the year 1998 but the idea of starting such a museum came in the year 1996. The citizens of Pune contributed to the National War Memorial Fund. With the sponsorship of the Express Citizens’ Forum the museum was set up. From a normal citizen to big corporate everybody contributed to the memorial fund and thus the foundation was laid in November 1997 and in October 1998 the National War Museum was inaugurated. The main attraction is a 25 foot high stone pillar.
National Film Archives MuseumThe National Film Archives Museum was established in the year 1964. It is one of the largest film archives in India where all the classic movies and the details of their makers can be found. it is the proud museum having the largest collection of movies in Asia. It is a perfect place for the students and researchers who are in the film line as they can get all the information of film industry from how a film is made to how things work in the industry along with the rarest collection of classical movies from all time. It has in its collection films, books on film world, journals, scripts, photographs, posters, disc records, audio tapes of rare interviews of legends of film industry, etc. The museum is at the Law College Road in Jayakar Bungalow.
Raja Dinkar Kelkar MuseumIt is one of the biggest and richest museums in Pune because of its rich collection of artefacts by Padmashree Dr. Dinkar J. Kelkar who established it in the year 1962 and gave it the name of his loving son Raja who died prematurely. Mr. Kelker donated the museum to the government in 1975. The musem has more than 20000 invaluable artefacts in 40 different sections that can be a treat for the art lovers. It includes coins, utensils, toys, clothes, lamps, arms etc. It is located near Anhinav Kala Mandir in Shukrawar Peth. It is located at Bajirao Road in Shukrawar Peth. The timings are 9am to 6 pm everyday including Sunday. Entry fee is Rs.20 per person.
Tribal MuseumThe Tribal museum is concentrated on the tribal’s of Maharashtra state. It has amazing documentation of state tribal communities. The major emphasis is on the cultures of tribal communities from Sahyadri and Gondhavana. This museum is located at the Queens Road that is East of the Railway Station. It is open to visit on all weekdays and the timings are 10 am to 5 pm only.
Peshwa MuseumPeshwa museum was established in the Palace built by Shrimant Peshwa in the year 1795, the part of this palace was converted into a museum which showcases many old carved wooden pieces along with huge collections of items belonging to the Peshwa Era. The major attraction of the museum includes paintings of all Peshwas, Maratha Sardars and their family members. The museum also holds a huge collection “Peshwe Kaalin” arms, articles and coins which were used in the Peshwa Era. The collection contained in the museum has great value and hence it is treated as the national treasure from the history of Pune.Ruchi Mahajan