Madhya Pradesh is one of the states of India which is famous for its possession of archaeological and historical heritage. The Museums of Madhya Pradesh put on display some of the most significant objects of the past. The Madhya Pradesh museums have also been praised all over the country for outstandingly preserving the work of art dating back to the 1st century. The state of Madhya Pradesh has been ruled by several dynasties and all these dynasties have left behind a portion of their culture and royalty earthed in the soil. All these are now some of the most valuable items in order to get an insight into the past. There are several museums in Madhya Pradesh which are constructed on the sites of excavation.

One of the major Madhya Pradesh museums is the Central Museum in Bhopal. It has recently become one of the frequently-visited tourist hubs in India. This museum, in the best possible manner, has been able to put on display the elegance and liveliness of local sculptures and the artisans who served their whole life in making different masterpieces of art. This museum, along with local antiquities also possesses rare works of art from all parts of Madhya Pradesh. The Central Museum in Bhopal was founded in the year 1949 and from that day it is tirelessly putting efforts to uplift the raw talents by offering then the perfect platform to stand and deliver their exclusive artworks. The valued articles which are attracting the masses are the ivory toys, metal works, woodcarvings, and statues of several deities which portray the superior works of Indian artisans. There are also paintings narrating vivid stories, dazzling handloom works, needle-works and a number of other valuable handicrafts. A visit to the Central Museum of Bhopal is like a journey towards the glorious past where one will get to venture into the traditional and cultural inheritance possessed by India. This Museum is open for visitors from 10:30 A.M to 05:00 P.M except on public holidays and Sundays.

The Archaeological Survey of India, the body which c archaeological carries out research, founded the Archaeological Museum at Khajuraho in the year, 1967. The museum possesses an outstanding collection of famous sculptures of Khajuraho known all over the world. This museum in Madhya Pradesh holds some of the prominent sculptures which represent the art of Jain, Brahmanical and Buddhist faiths. The main hall and the five large and wide galleries of this museum possess all the works of art, which are displayed in a very delicate manner. The work of art of Khajuraho belonged to the Chandela dynasty, which have overcome the bending sickles of time. During the British rule, WE Jardine, the political agent of Bundelkhand at that time, assembled the work of art from the temple complex and put on show in an enclosure close to the temples of western group in the year 1910. This museum got its name as the Jardine Museum which was beautifully modified by the Archaeological Survey of India and given the name of the Archaeological Museum, Khajuraho.

The architectural panels, sculpture and friezes present in the Archaeological Museum, Khajuraho are from the 10th and 12th century. The temple architecture portrays the Jain and Brahmanical influence. The figure of the seated Buddha is one of the prominent piece of work to seen in the museum. The museum possesses an assortment of 2000 or more outstanding Indian sculptures. Some of them include the amazing Hari-Haro, the idol of the Jain goddess Ambika, a massive image Nritta Gansha, the image of Uma-Maheshwara, the lain sasana-devi, the Narasimha, the four-headed Vishnu, Vaikuntha, Varaha and Hayagrim idols.

Among the significant museums in Madhya Pradesh, the Rani Durgawati Museum, Jabalpur is the one which is visited by people from all parts of India and also from different corners of the world. This museum is a memorial erected to remember the queen Durgawati who is considered as a sign of self-sacrifice and martyrdom. This museum is founded in the year 1964 in honor of the great queen. The replica of Goddess `Durga` in sandstone is believed to be the personification of feminine power. The museum brightly reflects the pride and spirit with which the Queen carried out her work. This museum in Jabalpur also consists of a wing that holds some of the works of art and photos belonging to Mahatma Gandhi. The museum preserves some of the very old cultural relics, several intriguing articles and ancient lettering.

The major things to see in the Rani Durgawati Museum at Jabalpur are a replica dated 10th century of red sandstone portraying the rebellion, Lord Shiva and Parvati occupied in a game of Chausar. Chausar is a sport which is connected to gambling. Lord Shiva and Parvati are seen sitting together in a sculpture and Lord Brahma, Lakshmi and Saraswati looking at them with extreme oddity.

Birla Museum, Bhopal was founded in the year 1971. This is an archaeological museum which preserves the artifacts and evidences starting from the prehistoric age. It puts on view some of the wide range of characteristics which gives importance to the rich historical and cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh. The items on display in this museum Most of the objects preserved in the Birla Museum in Bhopal discloses the tale of prehistoric age. It thus gives an insight into the primitive men`s social culture. Tools of the Neolithic and Paleolithic age can been seen in the Birla Museum, Bhopal. Scale model of Bhimbetka rock shelter and the mystifying Stone Age wall paintings are marvelously depicted in the Birla Museum. Attractive stone sculpture dated from 7th to 13th century is among the major attractions. The artifacts displayed in the museum are gathered from several archaeological sites of Madhya Pradesh. The terracotta objects preserved in this museum in Bhopal are from the period dated 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD. A superior quality of manuscripts and ancient coins are cautiously preserved to assist the tourists in getting a look into the useful objects of the past. The Birla Museum remains open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. except on Monday, when it remains closed.

The Shivpuri Museum in Madhya Pradesh is regarded as one of the prominent museums of the state, since it preserves some of the precious articles which were handed over by the Jain `Tirthankaras` belonging to the 10th and 11th century. It also exhibits several Jain sculptures. These spectacular artifacts have been acquired from Narwar and adjoining areas. This museum is one of the few to possess some of the primitive works of art relating to the Jain Tirthankaras.

Apart from these, there are several other museums in Madhya Pradesh, like, AEC Museum, Panchmarhi, Archaeological Museum, Gwalior, Municipal Museum of Gwalior, District Archaeological Museum, Vidisha, Hari Singh Gaur Archaeological Museum, Sagar, Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, Jabalpur, Aoc Corps Museum, National Museum Of Man (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya), Bhopal, Regional Science Centre, Bhopal, Madhva Rao Sapre Smiriti Samachar Patra Sangrahalaya And Research Institute, Bhopal, Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum, Raipur, National Telecom Museum, Bhopal, Science Activity Corner, (National Council Of Science Museums), Gwalior, H.H. Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum, Gwalior, etc.

Museums are the mirror of the past and museums of Madhya Pradesh clearly portray the rich culture and tradition of this centrally located state of India. The museums in this state are the most common ways to peep into the culture, history and archaeological treasures.