Delhi is the capital of India and the museums in this city are a distinct reflection of the country’s past and present. There are a number of museums in Delhi catering to a range of needs. From satisfying the art lover’s fantasy to those wanting a glimpse of the artifacts and relics belonging to ancient India, there’s much that can be looked forward to. What’s more museum lovers can also hop over to watch Indian craftsman doing what they do best. These are just some of the things that can be expected from the Crafts Museum, Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum and National Museum. We’ve detailed these below.

Residence of the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum is also where the Prime Minister was assassinated by her bodyguards. Soon after her assassination, the place was transformed into a museum with preservations of her personal assets. The sari that she was wearing during her killing has been maintained very well. The place also holds a rare amassing of photographs revealing the Nationalist movement along with some private moments between the Nehru and Gandhi families. There are also pictures from her childhood with Mahatma Gandhi. In addition to this, the museum also holds burnt clothes of Rajeev Gandhi worn by him during his assassination. The final words of the lady in writing are also something one can watch out for when visiting the museum.

As for the National Museum, it’s located at Janpath and is said to be largest museum in the capital. The highlight of this museum is the range of exhibits it holds. Spanning over three floors, there are many valuable pieces of Indian sculpture and art arranged in chronological order. Along with prized possessions from the Mogul period and Arabian manuscripts, the popular Dancing Girl sculpture from Mohenjodaro dating back to almost 2,500 B.C is also here. There are many miniature paintings belonging to the Mughal, Pahari and Rajasthani schools too. The National Museum is also known for its collection and exhibition of historical costumes, weapons and musical instruments. This museum is shut on Mondays.

Located at Pragati Maidan, the Crafts Museum exhibits Indian handicrafts while also providing one-to-one interactions with some of the local craftsmen. The museum is home to some exquisite and rare art and craft pieces from across the country, serving well the purpose of its development. Yes, this museum was established in 1956 with the main intention of displaying and encouraging the skills of local artisans. Tourists are in particular attracted to the distinct display of architecture in the form of Indian villages and mud huts. Paper-Mache, paintings and woodcarvings along with embroidery are used to enhance these tribal exhibits.

The National Rail Museum features a representation of all the phases including development of the Indian railways. Among the other museums in Delhi, visitors can also consider dropping by the National Museum of Natural History, the Shankar’s International Dolls Museum and the National Science Centre Museum. There are also the Nehru Museum and Planetarium, Sanskriti Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Tibet House Museum here which are worth visiting.