Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur
Jaipur’s cultural beauty is well demonstrated in the architecture and art forms. One of the best ways to cherish the culture is the museum. The best of all museums is named as Albert Hall Museum. Albert Hall Museum is proved to be a delight for visitors because of its famous and elegant Indo-Saracenic architecture and a reminder of India’s colonial legacy. Being filled with a powerful cultural legacy and ancientness of the state, this architectural marvel of the 19th century which covers attractive artefacts is a wonderful delight. This beautiful wonder is popular for its history buffs, photography, relics, architecture and artefacts.
History of Albert Hall Museum
The structure of Albert Hall Museum was constructed in 1876 as a concert hall. The museum got its name from the Victoria and Albert Museum which is in London because of having identical architectures. In 1876, the foundation for the complex began when Prince of Wales came to visit Jaipur. When the building was built, the government and the Royals were having no idea about how to use this building. Earlier, it was used as a Town Hall in 1880. After some time, the King of Jaipur who was Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II gave an idea to use this museum for Industrial Arts. Later, the hall was used to show off the masterpieces of local skilled workers. In 1881, the museum reached to its prime beauty and people from all over India started visiting this museum to purchase and enjoy handicrafts, artwork and many other brilliant pieces. Anyways, the complex was under work till 1887. Later, this amazing museum began to display ancient artworks and artefacts which included budding artist’s masterpieces also.
Things to enjoy
- Take a short leisurely walk around the Art Gallery section.
- Make merry in the beauty of the Ram Niwas Gardens.
- Get amazed at the artefacts and relics maintained by the museum such as the complicated wooden carvings and sculptures, miniature paintings and marble arts.
Inside the Gallery of Albert Hall Museum
There are 16 galleries within the Museum which are detailed as follows:
Metal Art
In this museum, you can find out 19th-century metal works like vessels, salvers with zodiac symbols, figurines, shields constituting epic battles of Mahabharata, Ramayana and many others. You can check out figurines made up of zinc, bronze and brass as well.
Arms and Armour
This gallery contains the armours and weapons used by Rajputs, Turkish, Mughals and Hyderabadis. It also includes arrows, bows, spears, warrior helmets, tiger knives, swords and so on. You can watch out the collection of Arabic Calligraphy in this amazing gallery. There is also Gold and silver Karanshihi work in this collection.
Pottery
This part includes pottery and related artworks of the 19th century. This amazing collection covers glazed pottery of Delhi region, Multan and Singh region as well as unglazed pottery of Bikaner and Hyderabad. The iconic blue pottery of Jaipur adds beauty to this collection.
Sculptures
From the 4th century till recent times, this gallery consists of a big collection of statues. You can check out a black stone sculpture of Yakshi built in 4th century AD, stone statues of Hindu gods and so on. Explore statues of different styles, reign and time period here.
Miniature Paintings
This gallery consists of miniature painting of Mewar. You can also get Ramayan paintings, Jain wood painting with lacquer and local art school paintings in this gallery.
Clay Works
Clay-based works of the 19th century including recent ones can find out in this gallery. It also covers clay figurines, traditional masks and many more. Get sight of clay works maintaining sociological themes, caste system, yoga postures and much more.
Marble Art
This gallery contains exotic marble works of the Mughal rule, statues improved from destroyed temples, local artisan’s masterpieces and like that. Check out statues of Jainism, Hinduism and modern art.
International Art
This gallery consists of Japenese dolls of the 19th century, 1st century BC Pharaonic antiques and Brass Buddha of Nepal including Egyptian mummy.
Ivory
This gallery includes works based on art using elephant tusk known as ivory. You can watch out ivory statues, medicine boxes, mirrors and so on.
Jewellery
The expensive antiques, royal jewels and other priceless ornaments are found in this collection. Golden waist belts, earrings, foot ornaments, rings, ear studs are included in this gallery.
Woodwork and Furniture
Check out the complicated woodwork of Kashmir and Jaipur here. Also, you can get old woodworks such as drummer, boar box, almirah, figurines and many others in this gallery.
Coins
This gallery holds a large collection of coins of the 11th century and earlier of that. You can also include punch-marked coil, British-India coins, old Indian coins, Delhi coins, Mughal coins, Gupta reign coins and so on.
Musical Instruments
Indians offer much importance to musical dance forms and arts. Check out some top musical instruments here which are rabab, Chouteau, Ravan Hatha, Karna, Bankia and many others.
Garments
This gallery has a special collection of textile works including local Rajasthani textile works like Gota work, lacework, Sanganeri print, old embroidery, Kotadoria and Bandhish work.
Carpet
This gallery contains different collections of carpet in various styles and reigns. View top carpets like the Mughal pattern, circular and prayer mat.
Miscellaneous
This gallery consists of showpieces, antique objects, showpieces and many others in its collection. Besides these, you can find out special ‘gallery of the month’ which displays any special collection.
Guides That are Available
There are plenty of local guides available here which is not a problem at all. But they are available on request only. They will guide you with each and every information of this beautiful destination. It will be a real help to you to explore this place with better understanding. Audio guides are also available in this place.
Opening hours
The museum is open from 9 in the morning till 5 in the evening in all the seven days of the week.
Entry Fees
For receiving entry to the Indian tourist, he has to pay Rs. 40 per head. Foreigners have to pay Rs. 300 to get an entry over here. Indian students have to pay Rs. 20 to make an entry and the cost for Foreign students is Rs. 150. Composite tickets are also available here as per the visitors need.
Perfect Time for Exploration
It is said that Rajasthan is a place with meanest climates in the country so I would recommend you to explore and enjoy this place during the winter season. At this time, the weather is cool and pleasant and is suitable for perfect exploration. During other times, the weather is sunny and make you a little uncomfortable to visit this exciting destination. The museum is closed only for Holi which is a local holiday. From October to March, the final Tuesday of every month is considered as the maintenance day and visitors are not allowed to enter here. From April to September, the Last Monday of every month is the maintenance day, so at this time, tourists are not allowed to enter the museum.
Ways to Reach Here
You can reach here by road, air or railways. You can travel by train and get down at Merta Road Junction Railway Station which is only 2 km away from the museum. From this station, you can take a walk to the museum or even hire a taxi. You can even travel to this place by buses as there are many buses available here. You can use public transportations too with great ease.
Interesting Details and Facts about the Albert Hall Museum
- The museum is also named as Government Central Museum.
- It is the oldest museum in the state of Rajasthan.
- This museum is named after King Albert Edward VII.
- It is a perfect combination of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
- Initially, it was considered as a town hall but was later transformed into a museum by Madho Singh II.
- The Albert Hall Museum was constructed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob.
Attractions Which are Near to the Museum
- Jantar Mantar
- Hawa Mahal
- Jal Mahal
- Jaigarh Fort
- Amber Fort
- Nahargarh Fort
Nearby Restaurants
- Shree Nath Lassiwala
- Jaipur Jungle
- Diggi Palace
- Cafe Coffee Day
- Barbeque Nation
- Tapri Tea House
Some Tips for the Traveller
- The weather of the Pink City is quite dry and scorched, so better you pack your all needy things.
- Dress up yourselves in comfortable clothes so that it will be useful for you to wander long distances at this place. Mostly prefer cotton wares. Wear comfortable footwear also for the same.
- Make sure not to unclean this place and keep it protected as this is your responsibility.
- Plastic items and other hazardous materials are prohibited inside the museum.
Conclusion
Roaring the cultural oldness of the State, the Museum cherishes artefacts from different sections of the country. It is separated into different parts, each part having a unique character of its own. Albert Hall Museum is a beautiful attraction ruling in sophisticated charms and is considered as one of the topmost places to visit in Jaipur.
