India has an interesting past. From the glorious history of a land ruled by kings and royalty to the era of the British Raj, the fight for independence or the formative years of democracy, our past has all the elements that keep us intrigued. When we look back, it gives us an insight into how we became the nation that we are today. And this is exactly what the museum at Rashtrapati Bhavan offers to do.
The three-storeyed museum at the Rashtrapati Bhavan has two of its floors in the basement, which makes it India’s first underground museum. The museum features the personal belongings of all the Presidents of India, the President’s vehicle and other fascinating items. A hand-shadow show is also organized, which narrates how the President is elected in our country.
But you have to wait till October 2 for the museum to open to the public. Until then, we’ll take you on a short tour of India’s first under-ground museum.
The museum displays wax statues of the 61st Cavalary, which is said to be the only non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry unit in the world.
Statues of King George and Queen Mary.
Re-creating the Dandi March or Dandi Satyagrah with the wax statues of Mahatma Gandhi and others who participated in the movement.
A re-enactment of the Swadeshi movement when people boycotted foreign goods and clothes.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, when General Dyer ordered troops to open fire at the non-violent protesters who gathered in the garden. Over 380 people were brutally murdered.
A collection of books written by the former President late A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and his Veena, which he loved to play.
The national emblem of India.
Around 80 crores were spent in creating this museum, which took almost two years to complete.
Also on display are the gifts that President Pranab Mukherjee received from various dignitaries.
The museum also showcases the Mercedes gifted to the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, by the king of Jordan.
The museum utilises virtual reality displays through multi-screen projections to narrate stories related to various events that took place in the past.
A gallery of paintings depicting the art and history of our country. More than 2,000 artifacts that show the glorious past of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the presidents are on display here.
Photographs of Indian Presidents presenting awards to noted personalities.
A section dedicated to the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and the former presidents of India.
The museum also has a digital centre with a collection of music in the different languages of India and rare pictures of the freedom movement.
You can also get yourself clicked sitting at the President’s study at the museum, with its replica on display.
This is certainly one of the most interesting museums in India!
