About Ramnagar Fort Museum
Ramnagar Fort Museum, located inside the 18th-century Ramnagar Fort on the eastern bank of the Ganges in Ramnagar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is the former residence of the Maharaja of Varanasi. Built in 1750 by Raja Balwant Singh in Mughal and Indian architectural styles, the fort houses the Saraswati Bhawan museum displaying royal vintage cars, palanquins, ivory work, costumes, arms and an astronomical clock, reflecting the heritage of the Kashi Naresh dynasty.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore the cream-coloured sandstone Ramnagar Fort complex and its museum, Saraswati Bhawan, situated opposite the Varanasi ghats across the Ganges. Inside, galleries display the royal collection including vintage American cars, ornate palanquins, elephant saddles, ivory and brass work, medieval costumes, gold brocade, arms and armour, and a rare astronomical clock. The fort offers views of the river, courtyards, balconies and temple within the complex.
Key highlights
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18th-century Ramnagar Fort built in Mughal and Indian architectural style
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Saraswati Bhawan museum with royal collection of the Kashi Naresh
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Rare astronomical clock showing time, month, year and lunar details
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Collection of vintage cars, palanquins, ivory work and arms and armour
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Location on the eastern bank of the Ganges opposite Varanasi ghats
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Still the residence of the Maharaja of Varanasi and Ved Vyasa Temple inside
History of Ramnagar Fort Museum
Ramnagar Fort was built in 1750 by Raja Balwant Singh, the founder of the Benares State and Maharaja of Varanasi, as the royal residence of the Kashi Naresh. Constructed in cream-coloured chunar sandstone in Mughal style, it has served as the ancestral home of the royal family for over 250 years and houses a museum preserving royal artefacts, manuscripts and relics of the Benares dynasty.
Culture & Context
The fort is the traditional residence of the Maharaja of Varanasi (Kashi Naresh), who is regarded as a cultural custodian of Varanasi. The museum reflects the lifestyle, art and craftsmanship of the region, including Banarasi brocade, ivory carving and royal regalia. The fort is also associated with the annual month-long Ramlila and Dussehra celebrations organized under the patronage of the Maharaja.