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| The Government Museum, Bengaluru thehindu.com |
Established in 1865, the Bangalore Government Museum of Oriental Museum and Heritage Department is one of the oldest museums established in 1865. It stands as one of India's oldest and most significant cultural repositories. As the second oldest museum in South India, it serves as a silent chronicler of the region’s vast geological, archaeological, and artistic history. Located on the bustling Kasturba Road, it forms a vital part of the city's "museum district," flanked by the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum and the Venkatappa Art Gallery. The museum is housed in a heritage building that is more than 150 years old.
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| Government Museum in Bengaluru bangaloremirror.in |
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| the Government Museum in Bengaluru image: PP Ynoos en.wikipedia.org |
Historical Foundation and Growth
The museum was the brainchild of Surgeon Edward Balfour, a medical officer who had previously founded the Madras Museum. Under the guidance of L.B. Bowring, then Chief Commissioner of Mysore, the institution was inaugurated on August 18, 1865. Interestingly, in its formative years, its first home was a humble jail building in the Cantonment on the Museum road, where it operated for thirteen years.
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| Government Museum tv9kannada.com |
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| Edward Balfour en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: the portrait of Edward G. Balfour,a medical officer of the Madras Army, transferred to Bengaluru from Madras.He as instrumental in founding the Mysore Government museum similar to the one in Madras that was established by him in 1851........
By 1877, the need for a dedicated structure became apparent. The current iconic building was designed by Col. Richard Hieram Sankey, the Chief Engineer of Mysore State. Known locally at the time as the Tamasha House (Entertainment House), the museum quickly became a popular destination, recording annual footfalls of over 400,000 in the early 20th century—a testament to its early success as a public educational center.
Architectural Splendor
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| Govt.Museum,Bengaluru indianexpress.com |
Above image: Government Museum, Bengaluru - The wing facing the Visveswaraya Museum was built in neoclassical Greco-Roman style by Colonel Richard Sankey of the East India Company in the colonial time. As for the other wing, it was built in 1962, following the original design of the other wing.........
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| Damaged Govt.Museum,Bengaluru deccanherald.com |
The museum is a prime example of Neoclassical architecture. Its vibrant red facade is characterized by elegant Corinthian columns, circular arches, and sloping eaves,besides high ceiling and thick outer walls. The two-story structure features two prominent porticos on either side and unique sloping parapet walls, creating a majestic presence that reflects the colonial-era aesthetic of Bengaluru’s public buildings. The first floor was constructed using timber and the second floor in lime plaster of Madras Terrace with ceiling supported by wooden beams and wooden rafters. Adjacent to this, another building was built with RCC pillars in the same pattern. Still, because this building is old, there are cracks everywhere and it is leaking everywhere due to rain.
Rare Collections and Treasures
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| Govt.Museum,Bengaluru hehansindia.com |
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| Govt.Museum,Bengaluru justdial.com |
Spread across two floors and eighteen galleries, the museum houses artifacts that span five millennia. Its most prized possession is the Halmidi Inscription (450 AD), the earliest known Kannada inscription, which provides a foundational look at the evolution of the language. Other significant epigraphical treasures include the Begur (890 AD) and Atakur (949 AD) inscriptions.
The galleries also showcase Neolithic pottery from Chandravalli, terracotta from Mathura, and exquisite sculptures from the Hoysala and Gandhara periods. Military history enthusiasts can find a detailed model of Tipu Sultan’s Srirangapatna fort and weapons from Kodagu, while art lovers are treated to rare Tanjore and Deccan paintings.
Recent Restoration Efforts
In recent years, the museum has transitioned into a new era of preservation. Under the control of the Karnataka State Archaeology Department, the institution has benefited from a significant grant sanctioned by the 13th Finance Commission of India. Recognizing the toll of time on the 150-year-old structure, the museum has been temporarily closed for an extensive renovation and restoration project. These efforts aim to modernize the display galleries and strengthen the building's structural integrity, ensuring that this "Tamasha House" continues to inspire generations with the tangible history of the Deccan for centuries to come. A sum of Rs.8.5 crore is set aside for the restoration work but the prediction is it might cost more as the restoration is extended beyond the scheduled date.
https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/heritage-makeover/articleshow/101318241.cms
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Museum,_Bengaluru
K. N. Jayaraman
