Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur is the oldest museum of Rajasthan, India. Located in Ram Niwas Gardens outside the city wall opposite New Gate, it is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Today what It is also called the Government Central Museum, original building construction was started in 1876 as a concert hall. The foundation for the building was laid in 1876, when Prince of Wales visited Jaipur. The museum was designed by Samuel Swinton Jacob, the director of Jaipur PWD; and ably assisted by Mir Tujumool Hoosein. Inaugurated as public museum in 1887. The museum got its name from Victoria and Albert Museum of London, England because of striking similarity in their architecture.
Maharaja Ram Singh initially wanted to convert it to a town hall, but his successor, Maharaja Madho Singh II, had other ideas. After lot of brainstorming, Dr. Thomas Holbein Hendley, then resident surgeon, advised the king to use the building to showcase local artisans’ craftsmanship. As such Sawai Madho Singh II decided to setup a museum to conserve the art of Jaipur in 1880. A small museum was opened in 1881 but construction of museum was finally completed only in 1887. The museum allowed youth of Jaipur and visitors to get acquaint with local artistic talent. rich history, thus allowing craftsmen to improve their craft by using platform of museum to their advantage.
The museum is famed for its architectural beauty. Its foundation stone was laid on 6 February 1876 and completed in 1887, when King Edward VII (Albert Edward) visited Jaipur as Prince of Wales. The museum has a huge collection of historic and rare artifacts including stone, jewellery, paintings, ivory, carpets, sculptures, and metal works. The museum also has a collection of coins dating back to Kushan, Gupta, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal and British periods. An Egyptian mummy, is the highlight of the museum. The corridors display numerous mural paintings, from various ancient civilizations such as Greek, Chinese, Babylonian, and others.
The museum is an important landmark and the pride of Jaipur. People from across India visit this museum to enjoy handicrafts, artwork and other masterpieces collected from various locations. Albert Hall Museum, based on Indo-Saracenic architecture and exclusive stone ornamentation. There are 16 galleries inside the museum, with each dedicated to a separate art form. Metal Art gallery holds 19th century metal works including vessels, figurines, and salvers. Arms and Armor gallery holds various types of weapons and armors used by Rajput, Mughal, Turkish and Hyderabad empire. It also has an Arabic Calligraphy collection. Pottery gallery holds pottery and related artworks from 19th century including glazed/unglazed pottery of Delhi, Multan, Bikaner, Hyderabad besides iconic blue pottery of Jaipur. Sculptures gallery has a collection of statues dating back from 4th century AD Yakshi statue to stone statues of Hindu gods of recent times.
Miniature Paintings gallery holds miniature painting of Mewar, Jain wood painting with lacquer, and much more. Clay Works gallery showcases clay-based works from 19th century to recent times including clay figurines, masks and more. Marble Art gallery holds exotic marble works from Mughal era, statues from ruined temples, statues of Jainism, Hinduism, and modern art. International Art gallery holds everything from Japanese dolls of 19th century, Brass Buddha of Nepal, Egyptian mummy, 1st century BC Pharaonic antiques, and others. Ivory gallery holds artworks of elephant ivory including statues, medicine boxes, mirrors, and more.
Jewellery gallery houses expensive antiques, royal jewels, and other priceless items. Woodwork and Furniture gallery is adorned with intricate woodwork from Jaipur, Kashmir, boar box, figurines and more. Coins gallery holds large collection of coin from 11th century AD and beyond, including Gupta coins, Mughal coins and others. Musical Instruments gallery houses musical instruments such as rabab, Chouteau, Karna, Ravan hatha, and others. Garments gallery houses unique Rajasthan textile works like Gota wok, lace work, Sanganeri print, embroidery work, Bandhish work, and others. Carpet gallery holds carpet collection including prayer mat, and others. Miscellaneous gallery holds variety of showpieces, antiques and others.
Situated on Ram Niwas Garden of Jaipur, the museum can be reached from anywhere in the city on an autorickshaw or taxi. The museum is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with visit duration being 1-hour for all. Entry ticket is INR 40/Indian, INR 20/Indian student, INR 300/foreigner, and INR 150/ foreign student. Entry for children below 7 years is free. Night visit to the museum is from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM with entry fee INR 100 for all. Entry for student groups is free daily between 10.00 AM to 12.00 PM with recommendation of respective Institutes’. Entry is free for all on Rajasthan Day – 30th March; World Heritage Day – 18th April; World Museum Day – 18th May; and World Tourism Day – 27th September.
