
Museums are considered to be an integral part of a nation`s history and culture and India has a rich tradition of ancient and historical museums. The Indian museums provide the visitors and seekers, a chance to know about the rich cultural and historical heritage of India. They provide ample knowledge and material evidence of Indian society during the ancient, medieval and even present times. Indian museums are quite famous in all over the world for their wonderful collection of ancient properties.
Museums are located in all the states of India and the Indian state museums cover mostly the heritage and cultural history of that particular state. Most of the Indian state museums are managed and governed by the State Governments and they are really the treasure houses for the states. The museums are usually named according to the name of the state like Nagaland State Museum, Mizoram State Museum, Meghalaya State Museum, Assam State Museum, Goa State Museum etc.

The Indian museums can be divided into different categories like Fine Arts, Applied Arts, Archeology, Music, Craft, Anthropology and Ethnology, History, Cultural History, Natural History, Military History, Science, Technology, Industrial, Children`s Museums, Numismatics, Botanical and Zoological Gardens and Philately etc. However, there are some other museums also that specialises in particular subjects within these categories, like Museums of Modern Art, Local History, Aviation History, Agriculture or Geology etc.

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Indian art museums and galleries are considered to be one of the most favourites among the tourists from all over the world. The museums wonderfully represent the rich culture of India art and try to give the tourists a taste of Indian art. Two of the most famous art museums and galleries in India include the Indian Museum in Kolkata and the National Museum of India in New Delhi. The museums house a large number of art works from the ancient India, like jewellery, paintings, decorative arts, manuscripts, arms and armour, stone sculptures, wooden objects, bronzes, numismatic collection, anthropological objects and clay models etc.
Among the large number of Indian museums, the archeological museums hold a special place. The
Indian Archeological museums represent the Indian civilisation wonderfully and houses several evidences of the civilisation. Quite efficiently the archeological museums present a vivid picture of the history of India.
Another type of museum which has supported in showcasing the historical wonders of India is the
Indian historical museum. Located in most of the major historical places in India like Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Agra, etc, the historical museums house all types of historical evidences.
Apart from the Indian art museums and galleries, Indian Archeological museums and Indian historical museums, the
Indian science museums also attract a large number of visitors. They mainly collect, preserve and display the scientific records of India. Some of the famous Indian science museums include the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata` Nehru Museums of Science and Technology, Kharagpur; Regional Science Centre, Lucknow; Science Centre, Dhenkanol etc.
(Last Updated on : 14/01/2009)