# Allahabad Museum > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Allahabad_Museum > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Allahabad_Museum.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allahabad_Museum > Source revision: 1356104629 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) National Museum in Prayagraj, India Allahabad Museum Allahabad Museum Established 1931, 91 years ago Location Kamla Nehru Road, Prayagraj, India Type National Museum Director Rajesh Prasad Website theallahabadmuseum.com **The Allahabad Museum** is a [national-level museum](/source/List_of_national_museums#India) in [Prayagraj](/source/Prayagraj), [Uttar Pradesh](/source/Uttar_Pradesh).[1][2] Established in 1931,[3] it is known for its rich collection and unique objects of art, and is funded by [Ministry of Culture](/source/Ministry_of_Culture_(India)). Moreover, it is a premier research centre for archaeologists, historians and academicians and carries out extensive research activities and publications in archaeology, art and literature. Its rock art gallery has the largest collection of prehistoric paintings displayed in India dating from 14,000 B.C to 2000 B.C.[4] The museum, using [solar power system](/source/Solar_power_system), has become the first museum in the country to become self-reliant in power generation.[5] The Allahabad Museum is centrally located in the Civil Lines area of the city in a lush green garden at Chandrashekhar Azad Park, popularly known as Company Bagh. It is about 3 km away from the Allahabad railway junction and almost equidistant from three different Railway Stations such as Prayag, Rambagh and Prayagraj junction and about 12 km away from Prayagraj Airport.[6] ## History A museum was originally set up in Allahabad in 1863 by [North-West Province](/source/North-Western_Provinces) Governor General [Sir William Muir](/source/Sir_William_Muir), before being shut down in 1881 because it was situated in one of the empty barracks which, besides being liable to injury by fire and storm, was quite unsuited to the purposes of institution. After the initiative to reopen the museum was taken by [Jawaharlal Nehru](/source/Jawaharlal_Nehru), the then President of the Allahabad Municipal Board, stalwarts like [Madan Mohan Malviya](/source/Madan_Mohan_Malviya) and the then leading newspaper [The Pioneer](/source/The_Pioneer_(India)), the museum was eventually opened in the Municipal Board building in 1931. Due to space constraint, the museum was shifted to the present building at the [Alfred Park](/source/Alfred_Park). The foundation stone of the present museum building was laid on 14 December 1947 by Jawaharlal Nehru and the museum was opened to the public in 1954. In 1985 it was declared an Institution of National Importance.[7][8] ## Collection The museum houses galleries each devoted to [Mahatma Gandhi](/source/Mahatma_Gandhi) and [Jawaharlal Nehru](/source/Jawaharlal_Nehru). The Gandhi Gallery displays rare pictures of Gandhi from his childhood till death, while the Nehru Gallery features Nehru's original manuscripts called 'In and Out of Prison' which were later published as his autobiography *The Discovery of India*. His other collection includes documents, gifts, wedding cards and letters, including some from Gandhi himself. The museum's another valued possession is the Gandhi Smriti Vahan, the 47-Model V-8 [Ford](/source/Ford_Motor_Company) truck on which Gandhi's ashes were immersed in the [Triveni Sangam](/source/Triveni_Sangam) on 12 February 1948.[4][9] The pistol of [Chandrashekhar Azad](/source/Chandrashekhar_Azad), a Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless semi-auto .32 bore, is displayed and preserved in the entrance hall of the museum. Azad used it to shoot himself after a long firefight with British policemen at the [Alfred Park](/source/Alfred_Park), the same year the museum was established.[10] The museum boasts 19 exclusive canvasses painted by the Russian painter, [Nicholas Roerich](/source/Nicholas_Roerich). There are 10 Roerich Halls all over the world, including the one at Allahabad Museum.[11] The museum's library stores 25,000 books, including rare collections of [Loeb Classical Library](/source/Loeb_Classical_Library) — translated works of ancient Roman and Greek scholars.[4] ## See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Allahabad Museum](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Allahabad_Museum). - [List of tourist attractions in Allahabad](/source/List_of_tourist_attractions_in_Allahabad) - [List of museums in India](/source/List_of_museums_in_India) - [Allahabad Public Library](/source/Allahabad_Public_Library) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ANI (27 December 2015). ["Museum Reform: Ministry of Culture starts 14-point agenda"](https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/museum-reform-ministry-of-culture-starts-14-point-agenda-115122700440_1.html). *Business Standard*. Retrieved 13 July 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Spread awareness on rich cultural heritage: Governor"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130715002137/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-13/allahabad/31689078_1_allahabad-museum-rajesh-purohit-cultural-heritage). *[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)*. 13 May 2012. Archived from [the original](http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-13/allahabad/31689078_1_allahabad-museum-rajesh-purohit-cultural-heritage) on 15 July 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Allahabad Museum to celebrate Foundation Day"](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/-Allahabad-Museum-to-celebrate-Foundation-Day/articleshow/5644718.cms). *[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)*. 5 March 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140108114206/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-05/allahabad/28134388_1_allahabad-museum-foundation-day-senior-citizens) from the original on 8 January 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_4-2) Rashid, Omar (6 October 2012). ["More than a museum"](https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/More-than-a-museum/article12547635.ece). *The Hindu*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0971-751X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0971-751X). Retrieved 6 January 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Khanal, Vinod (23 April 2017). ["Allahabad Museum switches to solar power, becomes first energy self-reliant museum"](http://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/allahabad-museum-switches-to-solar-power-becomes-first-energy-self-reliant-museum/58322963). *ETEnergyworld.com*. Retrieved 6 January 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Museum – The Allahabad Museum"](https://theallahabadmuseum.com/about/). Retrieved 9 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Rashid, Omar (6 October 2012). ["More than a museum"](http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/More-than-a-museum/article12547635.ece). *The Hindu*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Museums & Antiquities | Ministry of Culture, Government of India"](http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/museums-antiquities). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Gandhi Smriti Vahan on display at city museum"](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Gandhi-Smriti-Vahan-on-display-at-city-museum/articleshow/30331709.cms). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 6 January 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Srivastava, Rajesh (9 August 2016). ["Now, take selfies with Chandra Shekhar Azad's pistol at Allahabad museum"](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/now-take-selfies-with-chandra-shekhar-azad-s-pistol-at-allahabad-museum/story-gPNJDp2mX5Bo5g4qglkuwI.html). *Hindustan Times*. Retrieved 6 January 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Ifthekhar, J. S. (29 July 2015). ["In search of mysticism"](https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nicholas-roerichs-works-on-display-at-salar-jung-museum/article7477467.ece). *The Hindu*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0971-751X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0971-751X). Retrieved 6 January 2019. ## External links - [Allahabad Museum, website](http://theallahabadmuseum.com/) v t e Prayagraj landmarks Buildings and structures Bridges New Yamuna Bridge Old Naini Bridge Government Allahabad High Court State Police Headquarters Museums and libraries Allahabad Museum Allahabad Public Library Anand Bhavan Observatories and Planeteriums Allahabad Observatory Jawahar Planetarium Parks and Gardens Alfred Park Chandra Shekhar Azad Park Khusro Bagh Minto Park Places of worship Triveni Sangam Saraswati Ghat Shankar Viman Mandapam All Saints Cathedral St. Joseph’s Cathedral Shopping centers and Markets Civil Lines Chowk Sports Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium Structures Swaraj Bhavan Mayo Memorial Hall University of Allahabad Allahabad Fort Garhwa Fort Transport Prayagraj Junction Prayagraj Airport Prayagraj Metrolite Fests and Events Kumbh Mela Indira Marathon History History Timeline Treaty of Allahabad Indian Rebellion of 1857 Capital of India Allahabad Address 1954 Kumbh Mela stampede 2013 Kumbh Mela stampede People List of people Roads and Streets MG Marg [25°27′18″N 81°50′46″E / 25.4551°N 81.8462°E / 25.4551; 81.8462](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Allahabad_Museum¶ms=25.4551_N_81.8462_E_source:wikidata) Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Allahabad Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allahabad_Museum) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allahabad_Museum?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.