Government Museum, Chennai

The Government Museum in Chennai is one of the most popular landmarks in the city. It is actually the second oldest museum in India after the Indian Museum in Kolkata and the tenth oldest in the world. It was founded by Scottish surgeon Edward Balfour, an ardent Orientalist who pioneered forest conservation and public health in India. The museum is known as the Pantheon Complex, or "Public Assembly Hall". It has the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe.

The museum covers an area of ​​approximately 16.25 acres (66,000 m) of land which includes six buildings and 46 galleries. The objects on display in the museum include various artifacts and objects covering various fields including archaeology, numismatics, zoology, natural history, sculptures, palm leaf manuscripts and Amaravati paintings.

1. There is also a book shop inside the State Museum where cheap books are available.
2. It is primarily a semicircular structure with a rectangular wing at the back. The main hall is accessed through a verandah consisting of a row of pillars connected by semicircular arches.
3. The museum is known for its rich archaeological and numismatic collection.
4. The collection includes a series of old sculptures brought from different states of India. Statue of Nataraja, the center of attraction The museum houses a huge array of coins which were used by different states of India in the last 1000-2000 years.

📅 Last update: 2024-06-19 || ✍ Author: Sandhya Chauhan

Meet Sandhya, exploring India with curiosity and wonder. She shares info and tips in simple language, inviting you to join the journey. She is graduated in tourism and writes about the places of India.