A museum is an institution that holds and cares for a collection of scientific, artistic, and historical works of art. They are scattered across the world, each housing thousands of significant artifacts made viewable to the public eye. Museums attract millions of people a year, each exploiting a different journey of cultural heritage. As we continue to learn more about them on our voyage throughout India, we come to an agreement of wanting to experience one firsthand. With the Taj Mahal being the closest, and the National Museum of New Delhi offering a more adequate experience, questions arise as to which historical journey we should embark on.
As the premier museum in India, the National Museum of New Delhi raises the bar in museum excellence. Boasting over 200,000 pieces of exquisite artifacts, this museum will take us back almost 5,000 years, covering the utter most important aspects of India’s culture. Home to one of the most profound collections of Buddhist art, the National Museum focuses on bringing the history back to life. With numerous different types of artifacts on display, such as: Armor, paintings, instruments, tools, and even ways of transportation, this does just that. As the biggest museum in all of India, there is something for everyone to discover. Whether it is attempting to decipher an old Indian script, or observing the Russian jewelry exhibit, this museum presents itself leaving an influential impact we won’t overlook.
Bestowing three different galleries of artifacts, the Taj Mahal has a historical collection. Although it is not as informational and doesn’t hold near as many collections and artifacts as the National Museum, the pieces on display are a significant part of India’s history. With the theme of the museum being geared towards the time of construction, the halls are filled with architectural plans, weapons and tools used to complete the project, and significant documents. Built for Mumtaz Mahal, the biggest piece of history comprises of her tomb, which rests inside. Throughout the interior and exterior, decorative installments of breathtaking designs illuminate the structure. Only dating back 400 years ago, compared to National’s 5,000, the history behind the Taj Mahal begins with the first stone placed. Although it is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of the world and has a great story behind it, we could all agree that discovering what the National Museum of New Delhi has to offer, is much more suitable for the needs of our classmates.
A museum is only as good as the exhibits it bestows. At the National Museum of New Delhi, employees and archeologists have worked together to assemble some of the most profound exhibits in the world. All of the 14 different ones offered at the museum, such as: the Harappan Civilization, coins collection, Indian textiles, and wood carvings to name a few, purpose copious amounts of information about the lives of ancient inhabitant’s of India. Another addition to the museum is the multiple institutions found right next-door. The National Museum offers access to the conservatory laboratory, which provides restoration to all the organic and inorganic art objects, and training facilities to students and deserving professionals, including restoration of oil-paintings in India. It’s also attached to a university, where they offer many programs such as a Ph.D in History of Art, Conversation, and Musicology. By attending this prestigious museum, we as students could gain a respect for a taste of a different culture. With the exhibits offered, the opportunities’ presented could be a life altering experience.
At the Taj Mahal, the exhibits offered are incomparable. Offering no guided tours, one must self-navigate around the museum with the map given. While walking up and down the large, two story infrastructure, tourists alike can view the three different exhibits on display. The galleries do present themselves with