Allahabad Museum

Allahabad Museum, presently located in Chandrashekhar Azad Park (Company Garden), is a major tourist attraction in Prayagraj (Allahabad). It has long chequered history dating back to 1878 AD when the collective effort of Sir William Muir & Maharaja of Vijayanagar resulted in setting up of a library & a small museum in Allahabad. But, within a short span of 4 years, the museum was shut down in 1881. After 50 years, the museum was resurrected in 1931 AD in a wing of the municipal office. On November 14’1947, Jawahar Lal Nehru laid the foundation of the present building of museum in Company Garden. Allahabad Museum was opened to the public in 1954 AD. The museum is governed by a committee of twelve members elected annually and four co-opted members. The Commissioner of the Division and the Vice-Chancellor of the Allahabad University have been co-opted every year since the inception of the institution. The collections, of a mixed character, are housed in several halls / rooms and two open sheds, the latter containing sculptures principally from Sarnath. More sculptures and inscriptions are exhibited, in the verandahs of the main block. One of the halls contains a mixed collection including Indian musical instruments, ivory figures, clay models, pathological specimens, miniatures on ivory, ancient metal images, terracottas from the ancient site of Kaushambi, painted clay models, fishes and snakes in spirit, mounted mammals and the skeleton of an elephant. One of the galleries showcases the eco-life and varies species of flora and fauna.