Madhya Pradesh State has everything, from beautiful mountain ranges to curvy rivers to miles of green forests. And being this place is in heart of India. this state is also the favorite place of many dictators. This state is not only beautiful but also archaeologically, historically, and culturally rich. In history, this place is dominated by the Nanda Empire, the Maurya Empire, and the Gupta Empire.
Rajput clans, Chandela clans, and The Malwa Sultanate also ruled during the medieval period. Mughal, Maratha empires, and the British Empire also has tried to administer this state. Due to so many successors who ruled here, Madhya Pradesh has a very large cultural heritage. Due to this all souvenirs of these leaders are placed in museums in Madhya Pradesh.
The historical museums of Madhya Pradesh tell a detailed story of the inheritance of each emperor who ruled here. They leave their footmarks. All their legacies are placed in museums here. If you Plan to explore Madhya Pradesh you must visit these museums to witness the inheritance of every era.
Here is the list of wonderful museums that must be experienced to see the best of the past.
1. State Museum Bhopal (Bhopal Museum)
It is one of the popular museums in Madhya Pradesh, and among the notable places to visit in Bhopal. Formerly it was known as Bhopal Museum. This museum was established in 1909 A.D. by then rule of Bhopal state as Edward museum and governed with the name of Ajayabghar in present central library’s building. After the formation of M.P. state, it was shifted to the building at Banganga road. It was inaugurated in a new form in the newly constructed building by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on 2nd November 2005. It is situated opposite to Regional Science Centre.
The museum comprises 17 galleries.
This galley comprised of various thematic galleries, pre-history & fossils, coins, postal stamps, weapons, inscriptions, sculptures, metal sculptures, royal collections, textiles, excavated materials freedom movement, autographs, manuscripts, paintings, documents of the medieval age, and rare musical instruments.
Place Location: 8 km from Bhopal Junction
Address: 8, Shyamla Hills Rd, TT Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462013
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Best time to visit the Museum (preferred time): 10:30 am – 04:00 pm
Trip Duration: 1 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners.
Camera charges: Rs. 50
Video charges: Rs 200
2. Central Museum, Indore
Central Museum is also known as Indore Museum.
The artifacts displayed in the museum range from prehistoric to the modern era.
The Museum was established on October 1st, 1929. used to gather and preserve the ancient times founded in the region of the former Holkar State.
There are two galleries in the Museum.
Gallery I shows artifacts from a prehistoric period ranging from 5,000 – 4,000BC. It contains stone tools, quartz sickles, ornaments, and items of domestic use.
The Museum contains a great collection of Parmar sculptures from Hinglajgarh.
The sculptures of Saiva, Jaina, Shakta, Vaishnava and Buddhist cults have been collected from Hingalajgarh and displayed in the museum’s II gallery. All Hindu mythological carvings are present there.
There are also many coins and armors which are displayed at the Museum.
The Departmental publications, postcards folders, books, and plaster cast replicas are available for sale at Sales Counter.
Address: Near GPO Square, Residency, Navlakha, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452001
Time of Museum: Morning 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners. (No entry fee for children up to 15 years and handicapped persons)
Camera charges: Rs. 50
Video charges: Rs 200.
3. Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum, Dhubela
It is also known as Dhubela Museum. Dhubela Museum was the first museum of Madhya Pradesh.
This museum was established in September 1955. This palace was built by Maharaja Chhatrasal on Chhatarpur-Naugaon road.
It was constructed for residence. Museum has Bundelkhand and Baghelkhands materials.
The museum comprises 8 galleries. which show, sculptures, paintings, inscriptions, plates, arms, and armors.
The first two galleries contain possession from the Gupta and Kalchuri dynasties.
The Jain Gallery shows beautiful artwork like images of Rishabhnath, Chakreshwari, Gomedh Ambika, and Sarvatobhadrika.
The Shaiva and Shakti galleries also contain sculptures of Chandela and Kalchuri arts.
In an Amusement gallery, eight huge convex-concave mirrors are present shows funny images.
Maharaja Chhatrasals Statue in an open-air gallery attracts most of the tourists. It is present on the first floor.
Garments, paintings, and weapons of the Bundela kings are also there.
A library is present there which contains about 2300 books of history and archaeology.
Place Location: 62 km from Khajuraho (At Dhubela) & 15 km from Chhatarpur.
Address: National Highway 75, Mausahaniya, Madhya Pradesh 471201
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5 PM
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 3 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab.
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners.
Camera charges: Rs. 50
Video charges: Rs 200
4. Rani Durgawati Museum Jabalpur
The museum is built in the memory of Queen Durgavati. It is a Beautiful two-storied building. Which was established in 1964. Museum has a collection of sculptures, carvings,s and prehistoric antiques.
There is a special gallery that shows the Adivasi culture. The original pictures of famous freedom fighters like Jawaharlal Nehru, M. K. Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Subhash Chandra Bose are also there.
There are four galleries. Accompanying an auditorium on the ground floor. Statues of Hindu and Jain Gods and a Collection of rare coins are also beautifully placed there.
A red stone sculpture of Tripuri, Lord Shiva, and Parvati playing a game of Chaucer, sandstone idol of Durga are Special Attractions of this museum.
Place Location: Bhavartal garden near of bus stand in Jabalpur.
Address: Napier Town, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh 482002
Timings: 10:00 AM – 6 PM
Best time to visit Museum: 03:00 pm – 04:30 pm(preferred time)
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 1-2 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners. (No entry fee for children up to 15 years and handicapped persons)
Camera charges: Rs. 50
Video charges: Rs 200
5. Birla Museum Bhopal
This museum was established in the year 1971. It is part of the Birla Mandir complex which holds a Lakshmi Narayan and Shiva-Parvati Temple. This is one of 14 temples built by the Birla families at various places. This museum gives a beautiful view of the Lower Lake.
Birla Museum in Madhya Pradesh gives you a very good knowledge about history. Artifacts from the prehistorical period are the main attraction of this museum. Museum is Famous for artifacts of the Paleolithic and Neolithic period which shows the Heritage of Madhya Pradesh.
The sculptures from the 7th to the 13th century dig from archeological sites exhibited here.The Terracotta from the 2nd century BC to 6th century AD are displayed for visitors’ attraction.
A good quantity of ancient coins and manuscripts are carefully conserved here.There is the Devi gallery dedicated to the Hindu goddesses.
Bhimbetka rock shelter in form of a scale model is an attraction for the visitors.
Place Location: Besides arts museum.
Address: at Arera Hills Bhopal.
Timings: 9:00 AM – 8 PM
Best time to visit Museum: 09:30 pm – 03:30 pm(preferred time)
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 1- 2 hrs.
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 50 for Foreigners. for children 5 rs up to 15 years.
Camera charges: Rs. 50
6. H.H Maharaja Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum, Gwalior
It is also known as Jiwajirao Scindia Museum designed and built by Sir Michael Filose in the year 1874.
It is part of Jai Vilas Palace which was the resident house of former Scindia rulers. Out of the palace, 35 rooms cover Scindia Museum. Palace was constructed to welcome the ‘Prince of Wales’ when he wishes to visit the country.
The west wing of the Jai Vilas Palace was converted into a museum. By the late Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia in the memory of her beloved husband HH Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia. The Museum is overseen and managed under Mannu Raje Charitable Trust.
The important area of the museum is Darbar hall where two big chandeliers each weighing 3.5 tones are hung.
visitors will get stunned to see various artifacts like oil paintings by Raja Ravi Verma, a silver carriage Palanquins, miniature paintings, bronze statues of Lord Vishnu, Malabar, and crystal furniture clothes and footwear that belonged to the royalty, Jain sculptures, ancient weapons, and many more.
There are also trophies of the Princes’ hunting and a gallery of old sculptures.
The museum displays the royalty of Indian rulers.
Address: Jai Vilas Palace, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474009
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Closed: Monday & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 1 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 150 for Indians, Rs.800 for Foreigners.
Camera charges: Rs.70
Video charges: Rs120
7. Tribal Museum Bhopal
There is a great deal to see at the Tribal Museum Bhopal. And the exhibitions are filled with ancient rarities and information.
The building was designed by the famous Indian architect Revathi Kamath.
It shows the lifestyles and crafts of the seven major tribes of the state the Gond, Bhil, Korku, Baiga, Sahariya, Kol, and Bhariya.
Their gallery of homes shows houses of the tribes and their dependency on natural resources. which are bamboo, mud, hay, grass dung.
Another gallery at the museum showcases how the tribal communities celebrate their different traditions. like weddings and festivals which are also with help of natural things.
‘Devlok’ or the house of gods is part of the gallery. which shows customs of worshipping mother earth, mountains, rivers, etc.
Traditional games gallery is also there. where a recreation of games like Ghoda Badam Shahi, Rakku Games with little sculptures of men, women, and children are there.
Museum also contains an auditorium, a small boutique shop of artifacts, and a restaurant.
Every Friday and Sunday in the evening, Museum hosts performances of traditional music, dance, and drama. for highlighting the goal of preserving heritage and generating awareness about local tribes of the state.
Place Location: Near State Museum,
Address: Shymala Hills, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462002
Timings: 12:00 PM – 08 PM
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 3 hrs.
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 250 for Foreigners.
Camera charges: Rs. 50
8. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya Bhopal
It is also called as National Museum of Humankind. This museum was established in March 1977. Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is Covered in an area of about 200 acres in the beautiful Shamla Hills of the Bhopal city.
It can be reached either from Lake View Road or from Demonstration Schoo road.This museum portrays the narratives of humankind in existence. The museum has 8 exhibitions. Open exhibitions, Indoor galleries, Temporary exhibitions, Online exhibitions, Travelling exhibitions, Special exhibitions, Ongoing exhibitions, and 12 indoor galleries.
It represents the evolution of mankind and the artistic sensibilities of the rich Indian culture and heritage.
There is a reference library in the museum. which has a rich collection of documents on anthropology, archaeology, museology, tribal study, pre-history, art, architecture, etc.
Arranging education programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, cultural programs, regional and cultural festivals, lectures, artists camps, etc. are some regular activities of the museum for increasing awareness.
Place Location: near State Museum Bhopal at Bhopal’s upper lake
Address: Lake View Road, next to RCE campus, Shymala Hills, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462013
Timings: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 1 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs.50 per person. rs 25 Concession for students and groups (Entry of the children age below 12 years is Free)
9. The Bison Lodge and Museum Pachmarhi
The Bison Lodge and Museum at Pachmarhi are some of the most favorite tourist destinations of the places.
The Bison Lodge was built in 1862 when Captain Forsyth discoverer of Pachmarhi hill station residing in that place. which is now converted into a museum. It is one of the oldest buildings in Pachmarhis pristine hill town. The museum displays the rich natural world.
The museum contains an interesting range of pictures, models, maps, and graphs. The museum has an outside theatre that shows wildlife documentaries, films, and presentations.
Stuffed life-sized animals like Lions, Tigers, Bison, and Crocodiles are there for exhibition.
Place Location: 2 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station
Address: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh 461881
Timings: 8:00 AM – 1 PM and 4 PM – 7 PM
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Best time to visit bison lodge Museum (preferred time): 08:30 am – 11:00 am
Trip Duration: 30 min.
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 660 for Person without Guide & Rs. 960 per Person with Guide
10. Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum Gwalior
The palace of Gujari Mahal was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar for his wife Mrignayani in the 15th century.
Maharani Mrignayani was Gujar princess so palaces’ name is Gujari Mahal. In 1922, the palace was converted into a museum that contains Hindu and Jain sculptures from the 1st and 2nd centuries BC. Since 1922 the museum has gone through various development stages. Many new galleries have also been introduced to it.
This museum has 28 galleries and nearly 6,000 artifacts.
Exhibitions in the museum contain coins, stone sculptures, terracotta sculptures, copper plate inscriptions, bronze sculptures, paintings, arms & weapons.
The famous masterpiece Shalabhanjika is the main attraction of this museum. other rare sculptures like Yakshi, Nataraja Ardhanareshwara, Trimurthi, and Yamaraja are also tourist attractions.
A good collection of terracotta is present in the museum from 3rd-4th c. AD
Museum also contains a collection of popular photographs like the Bagh Cave paintings, Mandu and Dhar paintings.
Place Location: 4 km from the railway station and bus stand.At Gwalior Fort
Address: Lohamandi, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474008
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Best time to visit: 11 am – 03:00 pm (preferred time)
Trip Duration: 1-2 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians
Camera charges: Rs. 50
11. The Vidisha District Museum
In the heart of the city, the vidisha glorious Museum is situated. It is also known as vidisha District Archaeological Museum.
The ancient sculptures, terracotta, coins of the 9th and 10th centuries are the main attractions of the museum.
vidisha District Archaeological Museum was established in the year1964.
Statues of Yaksha and Kubera of the Mauryan Empire or the Sung Empire are the most remarkable antiquities of museums. which is a symbol of happiness and prosperity. The art of Harappa is the center of attraction here.
Sculptures of Bhairavnath and Mahavir ads value this.
There are more than 1700 sculptures present there placed in 3 galleries.
artifacts exhibited in the museum contains the idols of Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta, Jain, and other gods and goddesses
It is one of the best Archaeological museums in Madhya Pradesh.
Place Location: in front of the Vishram Bhawan
Address: civil lines, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh 464001
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Mondays & Government holidays
Trip Duration:1-2 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 5 for Indians & 50 for foreigners
Camera charges: Rs. 50
12. Kanha Museum
Kanha Museum is located inside the Kanha National Park and is maintained by the state Forest Department.
Museum gives valuable information about the lay of the land and details about all the species in the National park.
Kanha museum is the best animal museum in Madhya Pradesh.
museum hall exhibits skeletons of several carnivores, reptiles, and herbivores. It also gives information about the history of reserves.
The museum also exhibits charts, specimens, photographs, and models describing the wildlife of the forest area. you can gain detailed knowledge about the food chain and the complexity of life in the forest.
variety of biodiversity can be seen in national parks and information about them can be gained here. If we are not able to see the whole national park museum will provide you with a glimpse of the forest area.
For people interested in wildlife, botany, and zoology Kanha museum is an ideal place to visit.
The light and sound show are held in the museum every evening.
Place Location: near the Kisli gate
Address: Mandla, Madhya Pradesh 481111
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Closed: No
Best time to visit Museum (preferred time): In the daytime (during the winter months are most suggested as pleasant weather is there)
Trip Duration: 1-2 hr for museum only
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto/train (from Jabalpur or other major cities)
Entry Fee: No
Camera charges: No
Video charges: No
13. Sarod Ghar Gwalior
The purpose of making this museum is to showcase the rich heritage of Gwalior in the field of classical music.
The museum has been held in the ancestral home of Amjad Ali Khan who is the renowned sarod Maestro. It is also Kala Vithika.
The museum contains a collection of old and contemporary instruments, which belong to great and prominent musicians of the past, on which they do their practice.
The first instruments displayed in the museum are the instruments belonging to the forefathers of Amjad Ali Khan.
Collection in the museum includes the Tanpura of Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, Kanthe Maharaj, the Tabla of Ahmed Jaan Thirakwa, Violin of Allauddin Khan, and Kader Bux.
It also has a database on classical music in the form of books, articles, audio, and audio-visual recording.
The museum is managed by the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Memorial Trust which was founded by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
The museum organizes regular concerts and functions to increase awareness about Indian classical music heritage and culture.
Place Location: 5 Kms From Gwalior Junction (At Jiwaji Ganj)
Address: Jiwaji Ganj, Ratan Colony, Shekh Ki Bagiya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474001.
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Sunday & Government holidays
Best time to visit the Museum: Throughout the year
Trip Duration: 30 Mins – 1 Hr
Transportation Options: cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 20 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners.
14. Archaeological Museum Sanchi
Sanchi museum was established on the hilltop, in 1919 by Sir John Marshall who was former Director-General of ASI. Initially, a small museum was established but when it ran out of space so in 1966 it is shifted to the big one.
The museum and its premises are spread in about 6.30 acres area.
The museum consists of the main hall and four galleries. some artifacts are placed in the verandah and a few in open courtyards.
Artifacts present in the main hall are from our very important ancestral period Mauryan, Kushana, Sunga, Satvahana, Gupta, and late Gupta.
Buddhist sculpture and copy of a replica of Asokan pillar are in 1 st gallery.
Miniature sculptures from 3 rd to 12 BC century and iron objects from to medieval period are shown in 2 and gallery.
Nagaraja sculpture, the Yakshi statue, and the crown of the lion capital of Ashoka are the main attractions of the museum.
Place Location: Near Sanchi Stupa (1 km from Sanchi Railway Station)
Address: NH-86, Near Sanchi Stupa, District Raisen, Sanchi, MP, 464661
Timings: 09:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Friday & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 30 Mins – 1 Hr
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 30 for Indians & SAARC Citizens, & Rs. 500 for Foreigners.
15. Archaeological Museum Khajuraho
It was also known as Jardine Museums which was established by Mr. W.A. Jardine in 1910. later it was renamed as Archaeological Museum of Khajuraho in 1952 after the Archaeological Survey of India took control over it. The current museum was established in 1967. It has five galleries and a Verandah. The museum contains Brahmanical, Jaina, and Buddhist cultural sculptures. Galleries in the museum have been given names as Main Hall and Verandah display, Jaina Gallery, Saiva Gallery, Vaisnava Gallery, Miscellaneous Gallery. Materials that are exhibited here are primarily associated with the Chandellaas period.
Museum exhibits over 2000 artifacts & sculptures from the temples of the 9th and 12th centuries.
Sheshasayi Vishnu, Dasavtara lintel is the attraction of the Vaishnava gallery. shiva shakti sculptures like Parvati images, Brahma images, Bhairava images, Pratihara are attractions of Shaiva gallery. Manovega Devi with her horse, Ambika Devi under Mango tree are Jain gallery specialty. Nymphs in different moods, drummers, dancers, amorous couples, animals are exhibitions of Miscellaneous gallery.
The purpose of establishing this museum is to showcase the excavated and discovered archaeological things and promote our great culture.
Place Location: Near the Matangeshwar temple (2.3 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand.)
Address: Rajnagar Rd, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Friday & Government holidays
Trip Duration: 30 Mins -1 hr including travel
Transportation Options: bus/cab/ auto
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians (Free for Children up to 15 years), Rs. 250 for Foreigners.
Here is a list of some museums in Madhya Pradesh if you are a person who likes to explore histories then you must pay a visit to these museums. we have various packages which includes places on which these museums are located so for booking and more information visit us https://www.fabmytrip.com/
