Government Museum, Bengaluru

The Government Museum in Bengaluru, located on Kasturba Road adjoining Cubbon Park, is one of India's oldest museums, established in 1865. Operated by the Karnataka Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, it houses extensive collections spanning archaeology, geology, numismatics and natural history. Notable for its 18 galleries, rare Neolithic artifacts, ancient inscriptions including the Halmidi inscription, and sculptures from Hoysala, Gandhara and Vijayanagara periods, it serves as a key cultural and educational institution in central Bengaluru.

Visitors can expect a two-storey heritage building with 18 galleries displaying archaeological artifacts, stone sculptures, inscriptions, coins, paintings and geological specimens. The ground floor focuses on sculpture and inscriptions from Mohenjo-daro, Halebid and Vijayanagara periods, while the upper floor houses natural history, geology and art sections. The museum is set within the Cubbon Park cultural precinct adjacent to the Venkatappa Art Gallery, offering a quiet, educational indoor experience with display cases, informational panels and curated collections spanning Neolithic to modern times.