About Nagpur Central Museum
Nagpur Central Museum, popularly known as Ajab Bangla, is one of the oldest museums in India, established in 1863 in Civil Lines, Nagpur. Housed in a colonial-style building designed by Captain Cobbe, it serves as the primary repository for Central India's archaeological and natural history. The museum features eleven galleries displaying dinosaur fossils, ancient sculptures, coins, tribal artifacts, and paintings from the Bombay School of Art. It remains a significant cultural institution managed by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore eleven distinct galleries housed within a historic colonial bungalow featuring high ceilings and verandahs. Key exhibits include a 67.5-million-year-old Jainosaurus fossil, prehistoric elephant skulls, stone sculptures ranging from the Maurya to Maratha periods, and Mughal and Maratha weaponry. The museum also displays taxidermied wildlife native to Central India, tribal art objects, and Bombay School paintings. Interactive QR code kiosks provide artifact information in multiple languages, and the premises include gardens and a reference library.
Key highlights
- 01
67.5-million-year-old Jainosaurus dinosaur fossil excavated in Jabalpur
- 02
Colonial-era architecture designed by Captain Cobbe in 1871
- 03
Extensive collection of stone sculptures from Maurya to Maratha periods
- 04
Arms and armor gallery featuring Tribal, Mughal, Maratha, and British weapons
- 05
Paintings from the Bombay School of Art
- 06
Natural history gallery with stuffed birds and animals native to Central India
- 07
Interactive QR code information panels in 16 languages
History of Nagpur Central Museum
Established in 1863 under Sir Richard Temple, Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces, it is one of India's oldest museums. The collections were originally sourced from royal families, native chiefs, and exhibitions held in Nagpur and Jabalpur during 1865-66. The museum building was constructed in 1871 and has served as a central repository for artifacts from Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, and Western Maharashtra.
Culture & Context
The museum preserves the diverse cultural heritage of Central India through its extensive tribal art collection, including traditional tools, musical instruments, and everyday objects. It houses significant archaeological finds from Chalcolithic sites like Kaundinyapura and Indus Valley Civilization antiquities. The institution serves as an educational resource with film shows, lectures, and a specialized library containing rare manuscripts and inscriptions relevant to regional history.