Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum

Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum is an archaeological and cultural museum located near Ghadi Chowk in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Established in 1875 by Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon, it is one of the oldest museums in Chhattisgarh. The museum houses extensive collections of archaeological artifacts, sculptures, inscriptions, coins, tribal art and natural history exhibits showcasing the heritage of Chhattisgarh and central India.

Visitors can expect a two-storey heritage building with multiple galleries displaying stone sculptures, ancient inscriptions, coins, tribal artifacts, anthropological exhibits, natural history specimens and handicrafts from Chhattisgarh. The museum is set in a central urban location near Ghadi Chowk with a garden area outside. Visitors can explore curated archaeological galleries, view exhibits from Kalchuri and other periods, and learn about regional tribal culture through indoor displays.

Established in 1875 by Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon with support from British administration, the museum was built to preserve archaeological finds from the region. It is among the ten oldest museums in India and the oldest in Chhattisgarh. Collections include artifacts from Kalchuri, Maratha and other periods excavated from sites like Sirpur, Malhar and Ratanpur.

The museum preserves and showcases the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh, including tribal culture, traditional handicrafts, sculpture art and ancient inscriptions. It serves as a key centre for understanding the history, art and anthropology of central India and the Bastar and Surguja tribal regions.