Chandraketugarh Museum

Chandraketugarh Museum is a small archaeological museum at Berachampa in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, located near the ancient fortified settlement of Chandraketugarh. It displays artefacts excavated from the Chandraketugarh site, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE. The collection includes terracotta plaques, pottery, beads, coins and sculptures illustrating the region's long history as a riverine trade and cultural centre in ancient Bengal.

Visitors can expect a compact, single-building museum displaying excavated artefacts from the Chandraketugarh archaeological site in glass cases and on shelves. Exhibits include terracotta figurines and plaques, Northern Black Polished Ware and other pottery, stone and terracotta sculptures, coins, beads and tools. The museum is set in the town of Berachampa near the mounds and ruins of the ancient settlement, with a quiet, educational environment focused on viewing and learning about the finds.

Chandraketugarh is identified as an ancient fortified township and port city occupied from around the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE. Excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India and the University of Calcutta revealed successive cultural layers associated with Mauryan, Shunga, Kushana, Gupta and Pala periods. The museum preserves finds that demonstrate its role as a centre of trade, craftsmanship and urban settlement in ancient Bengal, with connections to the Ganges delta riverine network.

The museum illustrates the artistic and cultural traditions of ancient Bengal through terracotta art, sculpture and everyday objects. The artefacts reflect religious practices, folk art and maritime trade influences, and are important for understanding the cultural evolution of the lower Gangetic region.