>Nizil Shah at 05:46, 7 April 2021

2021-04-07T05:46:57Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox museum
| name = Kutch Museum
| logo =
| image = Kutch Museum Bhuj Kutch Gujarat India.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Museum building gate
| alt = Kutch museum building
| map_type =
| map_caption =
| map_alt =
| map_size =
| coordinates = {{Coord|23|14|55|N|69|39|59|E|display=inline,title}}
| former_name =
| established = {{Start date|df=yes|1877|07|1}}
| dissolved =
| location = Opposite [[Hamirsar Lake]], [[Bhuj]], Gujarat, India
| type = [[Local museum]], [[History museum]], [[Art Museum]]
| collection =
| visitors =
| director =
| president =
| curator =
| owner =
| publictransit =
| car_park =
| network =
| website =
| founder = [[Khengarji III]]
}}

'''Kutch Museum''' is located in [[Bhuj]], [[Kutch]] district of [[Gujarat]], India. It is the oldest museum of Gujarat which was founded in 1877. It is located opposite [[Hamirsar Lake]]. The museum was earlier known as '''Fergusson Museum'''.<ref name=b/><ref name=e/>

==History==
Kutch museum was initially established as a part of the School of Arts established by [[Khengarji III]], the Maharao of [[Cutch State]]. It was founded on 1 July 1877.<ref name=a>[http://www.panjokutch.com/geography/Museums.htm Kutch Museum]</ref><ref name=b>[http://www.agrocel.co.in/kutch/land_att.htm Kutch Museum]</ref><ref name=c>[http://www.gujarattourism.com/showpage.aspx?contentid=44&webpartid=51 Kutch Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925015110/http://www.gujarattourism.com/showpage.aspx?contentid=44&webpartid=51 |date=25 September 2013 }}</ref><ref name=d>[http://www.kutchforever.com/Museums.aspx?catalog=Kutch-Museum-Bhuj Kutch Museum, Bhuj]</ref><ref name=e>[http://www.india9.com/i9show/Kutch-Museum-22194.htm Kutch Museum]</ref> At the time of Maharao Khengarji III's marriage on 19 February 1884 many new items were received and for exhibition of which, a need for new building was necessitated. As such, on 14 November 1884, the foundation stone for the present museum building was laid by the Governor of Bombay, [[Sir James Fergusson, 6th Baronet|Sir James Fergusson]] and named Fergusson Museum after him by Maharao of Cutch. The building consisting of two floors which cost Rs. 32000 to construct at that time. The museum, constructed in the [[Gothic architecture|Italian Gothic style]], is located on the bank of [[Hamirsar Lake]] just opposite to the Nazar Bagh Garden.<ref name=a/> It was designed by the state engineer - Mc Lelland<ref name=d/> and built by local builders known as [[Mistris of Kutch]] under supervision of [[Gaidher|State Gaidher]] - Jairam Ruda Gajdhar.<ref>Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas : A brief History & Glory : by Raja Pawan Jethwa, Calcutta, 2007 Page:63 Jairam Ruda Gajdhar of Mistri community was the Gaidher of the State during reign of Pragmulji II and part of reign Khengwarji Bawa, when Prag Mahal, Alfred High School, Fergusson Museum, embankment of Hamirsar Lake, etc. were constructed.</ref><ref>''Nanji Bapa ni Nondhpothi'' Author : Nanji Gavindji Taunk compiled by Dharsi J. Taunk, Jamshedpur, Published at Vadodara : pp:03</ref> The museum remained the preserve of the Maharao of Cutch, till 1948, who showed it only to his personal guests. In those days, the museum was opened to the public only on important religious occasions.<ref name=a/><ref name=d/>

==Collections==
The museum has the largest existing collection of [[Western Satraps|Kshatrapa]] inscriptions, dating to the 1st century. The oldest Kshatrapa six inscription-stones found in Andhau village in Khavda are moved here. They are originally on the hillock and called ''Lashti''. They were erected in time of [[Rudradaman I]].<ref name="Sankalia1941">{{cite book|author=Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia|title=The Archaeology of Gujarat: Including Kathiawar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fvAdAAAAMAA|year=1941|publisher=Natwarlal & Company|pages=46}} [http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/51876 Alt URL]</ref> The only Gujarati [[Abhira tribe|Abhira]] inscription of the 3rd century is also here. It also has an examples of the extinct [[Kutchi script]] (now the [[Kutchi language]] is mostly written in the [[Gujarati script]]) and a collection of coins, including the [[Kutch kori|Koris]] - the local currency of Kutch till 1948.<ref name=a/><ref name=c/><ref name=d/>

The museum has almost 11 sections. The archaeological 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]] and many others, which are 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.<ref name=c/>

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.<ref name=b/>

On the ground floor of the museum, in the center room, ‘[[Airavata|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 in 1978, depicting this ‘Airavat’, under the postal series "Treasures of Museum".<ref name=a/><ref name=d/><ref>[http://www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=cd11105 A 25 paisa stamp was issued on 27 July 1978 under the `Treasures of Museum' series on Kutch Museum.] Jainism in Philataly</ref>

The oldest museum of [[Gujarat]], Kutch Museum was also the first museum of [[India]] to become online virtual museum in 2010.<ref name=f>[http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_kutch-museum-s-virtual-reality_1382953 Kutch museum's virtual reality]</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Kutch museum 2014-01-27 13-33.jpg|Kutch Museum
File:Cannon Haidari at Kutch Museum, Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat.jpg|Cannon Haidari, a cannon gifted by Tipu Sultan to Kutch administrator [[Fateh Muhammad]]. He wanted Kutch Horses in exchange.
File:Embroidered hanging, Kutch (western India.jpg|Embroidered hanging, Kutch Museum
File:Tea and coffee service, Kutch, Gujarat, India, c. 1880 - Royal Ontario Museum - DSC09642.JPG|Tea and coffee service, Kutch, Gujarat, India, c. 1880 - Royal Ontario Museum
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Museums in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Decorative arts museums in India]]
[[Category:Bhuj]]
[[Category:History of Kutch]]
[[Category:Museums established in 1877]]
[[Category:1877 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kutch district]]

Kutch Museum - Revision history

>Nizil Shah at 05:46, 7 April 2021