State Archaeological Museum

The State Archaeological Museum in Behala, Kolkata, is the principal archaeological museum of West Bengal managed by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal. Established in 1962, it houses extensive collections from excavations across Bengal, including stone tools, terracotta art, stone and bronze sculptures, coins, inscriptions and pottery ranging from the Paleolithic period to the medieval era, notably from sites like Chandraketugarh, Tamralipta and Paharpur.

Visitors can expect a two-storey museum building with multiple galleries displaying archaeological finds from West Bengal. Galleries include prehistoric stone tools, terracotta plaques and figurines, stone and bronze sculptures from Gupta, Pala and Sena periods, ancient coins, copper plates, inscriptions and pottery. The setting is quiet and educational within the Behala residential area, with labelled exhibits, display cases and informative panels for self-guided viewing.

Established in 1962 under the Directorate of Archaeology, Government of West Bengal, and shifted to its present building at Behala in 1963. It was created to preserve and display antiquities recovered from systematic excavations and explorations in West Bengal, including Chandraketugarh, Tamralipta, Mangalkot, Paharpur and other sites, covering periods from the Paleolithic to the late medieval era.

The museum preserves and presents the archaeological and artistic heritage of Bengal, showcasing the evolution of terracotta art, sculpture and material culture from ancient to medieval Bengal. It serves as an important educational and research resource for understanding the region's history, craftsmanship and cultural traditions.