Central Museum

The Central Museum, also known as Indore Museum, is an archaeological museum located near the General Post Office on Agra-Bombay Road in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Established in 1929 under the Holkar State, it houses one of Madhya Pradesh's notable collections of antiquities. The museum is known for its sculptures from Hinglajgarh, Parmar-era artifacts, prehistoric tools, coins, inscriptions and medieval relics illustrating the history and art of the Malwa region.

Visitors can expect a two-gallery archaeological museum displaying stone sculptures, terracottas, coins, inscriptions, arms and prehistoric tools arranged chronologically. The main halls showcase Hindu and Jain sculptures from Hinglajgarh and the Malwa region dating from the Gupta to Parmar periods, along with medieval and Holkar-era artifacts. The building is a compact heritage structure with indoor exhibit halls, display cases and informational labels for self-guided exploration.

Established in 1929 during the reign of the Holkar dynasty, the Central Museum was created to preserve antiquities discovered from excavations in the former Holkar State, particularly at Hinglajgarh. Its collection documents the history of the Malwa region from prehistoric times through the Gupta, Parmar and medieval periods, with artifacts systematically collected and curated under the Holkar administration.

The museum preserves and displays the artistic heritage of the Malwa region, including Hindu and Jain sculptural traditions, and serves as an important educational resource for understanding central Indian art, iconography and archaeology.