Kutch Museum
Encyclopedia
Kutch Museum in Bhuj
is the oldest museum of Gujarat. It initially formed part of the School of Art established by Maharao Khengarji III, which was founded on 1st July, 1877.The museum was earlier also known by name of Fergusson Museum.
At the time of Maharao Khengarji III's marriage on 19th February, 1884 many new items were received and for exhibition of which, a need for new building was necessitated. As such, on 14th November, 1884, the foundation stone for the present museum building was laid by the Governor of Bombay, Sir James Fergusson and named Fergusson Museum after him by Maharao of Cutch. The building consisting of 2 floors cost Rs. 32000. The museum, constructed in the Italian Gothic style, is located in the picturesque surroundings on the bank of Hamirsar Lake
just opposite to the Nazar Bagh Garden. It was designed by the state engineer Mc Lelland and local builders known as Mistris of Kutch. The museum remained the preserve of the Maharao of Cutch, till 1948, who showed it only to his personal guests. In those days museum was opened to the public only on important religious occasions.
The museum has the has the largest existing collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, dating to the 1st century AD. The oldest Kshatrap inscription found in Andhau and the only Gujarati Abhir inscription of the 3rd century are the main attractions. It also has examples of the extinct Kutchi
script (now the Kutchi language is mostly written in the Gujarati script
) and an interesting collection of coins, including the kori
, Kutch's local currency till 1948. This museum has almost 11 sections. The archeological section has Indus seals. Different kinds of stone tablets are available also. The painting showing the different vocations of Kutch are on the display. There is also an excellent section which covers classical and musical instruments like Nagfani, Morchang etc. put on the display of the museum.
A section of the museum is devoted to tribal cultures, with many examples of ancient artifacts, folk arts and crafts and information about tribal peoples. The museum also has exhibits of embroidery, paintings, arms, musical instruments, sculpture and precious metalwork.
Thus the museum broadly contains, a picture gallery, an anthropological section, an archeological section, textiles, weapons, musical instruments, a shipping section, and even stuffed animals.
On the ground floor of the museum, in the centre room, ‘Airavat
’ is displayed. ‘Airavat’ is a carved, wooden, snow white Indian elephant with seven tusks. ‘Airavat’ was prepared in Mandvi
in the 18th century, in the worship of Tirthankar
. The rest of its body is painted with flowers. The Indian Government issued a postal stamp showing ‘Airavat’ for the memory of this amazing ‘Airavat’ in 1978.
The oldest museum of Gujarat also has the distinction of being the first museum of India
to go on line in 2010. Now, all that you need to have a look at the treasures of the Kutch textile museum is an Internet connection. And an online museum is not the same as having a website. It’s like taking a walk through the museum but on the Internet.
Bhuj
Bhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...
is the oldest museum of Gujarat. It initially formed part of the School of Art established by Maharao Khengarji III, which was founded on 1st July, 1877.The museum was earlier also known by name of Fergusson Museum.
At the time of Maharao Khengarji III's marriage on 19th February, 1884 many new items were received and for exhibition of which, a need for new building was necessitated. As such, on 14th November, 1884, the foundation stone for the present museum building was laid by the Governor of Bombay, Sir James Fergusson and named Fergusson Museum after him by Maharao of Cutch. The building consisting of 2 floors cost Rs. 32000. The museum, constructed in the Italian Gothic style, is located in the picturesque surroundings on the bank of Hamirsar Lake
Hamirsar Lake
Hamirsar Lake is a large man made lake situated in heart of Bhuj town, the District headquarters of Kutch, Gujarat, India.It is a 450 year old lake named after Rao Hamir, the founder of Bhuj. The lake was built during the reign of Rao Khengarji I , the founder of Jadeja dynasty in Kutch, who named...
just opposite to the Nazar Bagh Garden. It was designed by the state engineer Mc Lelland and local builders known as Mistris of Kutch. The museum remained the preserve of the Maharao of Cutch, till 1948, who showed it only to his personal guests. In those days museum was opened to the public only on important religious occasions.
The museum has the has the largest existing collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, dating to the 1st century AD. The oldest Kshatrap inscription found in Andhau and the only Gujarati Abhir inscription of the 3rd century are the main attractions. It also has examples of the extinct Kutchi
Kutchi language
Kachhi Kachhi Kachhi (also spelt Cutchi, Kutchhi or Kachchhi, is an Indo-Aryan Language spoken in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat as well as in Sindh.- Closely related languages :...
script (now the Kutchi language is mostly written in the Gujarati script
Gujarati script
The Gujarati script , which like all Nāgarī writing systems is strictly speaking an abugida rather than an alphabet, is used to write the Gujarati and Kutchi languages...
) and an interesting collection of coins, including the kori
Kutch kori
The kori was the currency of Kutch until 1947. It was subdivided into 24 dokda , each of 2 trambiyo. Only coins were issued. The kori was replaced by the Indian rupee at a rate of 1 rupee = 3½ kori....
, Kutch's local currency till 1948. This museum has almost 11 sections. The archeological section has Indus seals. Different kinds of stone tablets are available also. The painting showing the different vocations of Kutch are on the display. There is also an excellent section which covers classical and musical instruments like Nagfani, Morchang etc. put on the display of the museum.
A section of the museum is devoted to tribal cultures, with many examples of ancient artifacts, folk arts and crafts and information about tribal peoples. The museum also has exhibits of embroidery, paintings, arms, musical instruments, sculpture and precious metalwork.
Thus the museum broadly contains, a picture gallery, an anthropological section, an archeological section, textiles, weapons, musical instruments, a shipping section, and even stuffed animals.
On the ground floor of the museum, in the centre room, ‘Airavat
Airavata
Airavata is a mythological white elephant who carries the Hindu god Indra. It is also called 'Ardha-Matanga', meaning "elephant of the clouds"; 'Naga-malla', meaning "the fighting elephant"; and 'Arkasodara', meaning "brother of the sun". 'Abharamu' is the elephant wife of Airavata. Airavata has...
’ is displayed. ‘Airavat’ is a carved, wooden, snow white Indian elephant with seven tusks. ‘Airavat’ was prepared in Mandvi
Mandvi
Mandvi is a city and a Municipality in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao of the Kachchh. The old city had a surrounding fort, and remains of the fort wall can still be seen to this day...
in the 18th century, in the worship of Tirthankar
Tirthankar
In Jainism, a ' |ford]]-Maker", ) is a human being who achieves moksa through asceticism and who then becomes a role-model and teacher for those seeking spiritual guidance....
. The rest of its body is painted with flowers. The Indian Government issued a postal stamp showing ‘Airavat’ for the memory of this amazing ‘Airavat’ in 1978.
The oldest museum of Gujarat also has the distinction of being the first museum of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to go on line in 2010. Now, all that you need to have a look at the treasures of the Kutch textile museum is an Internet connection. And an online museum is not the same as having a website. It’s like taking a walk through the museum but on the Internet.