Kolkata is a city full of history, art, and culture. From grand palaces to ancestral homes, from freedom movement stories to modern science, the city has museums that cover it all. If you’re planning a trip, here are some of the best museums in Kolkata you should explore:
1. Alipore Jail Museum
Once a jail where freedom fighters like Netaji and Sri Aurobindo were held, it is now a heritage museum. Don’t miss the watchtower, gallows, and evening light-and-sound show.
2. Netaji Bhawan
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s ancestral home, showcasing his life, belongings, and the car he used during the Great Escape of 1941.
3. The Asiatic Society Museum
India’s first museum with rare manuscripts, statues, maps, and historic artefacts like the Edict of Ashoka.
4. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum
A fun place for science lovers and kids with interactive exhibits, 3D shows, and galleries on transport, space, and electricity.
5. Jorasanko Thakurbari
Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home with galleries, portraits, and memorabilia celebrating the Nobel laureate’s life.
6. Marble Palace
A 19th-century mansion with imported marble, art collections, and Victorian sculptures. Entry is free.
7. Indian Museum
The largest and oldest museum in India with 35+ galleries including fossils, ancient artefacts, manuscripts, and even dinosaur skeletons.
8. Victoria Memorial Hall
Iconic white marble monument with Bengal School of Art paintings, British-era collections, and freedom struggle exhibits.
9. GPO Museum
A hidden gem inside the General Post Office, telling the story of postal services with stamps, letters, and even Tagore’s signature.
10. Nehru Children’s Museum
Perfect for kids with dolls from India and around the world, plus Ramayana and Mahabharata displays.
11. Ramakrishna Mission Museum
Small but unique, with folk art, sculptures, textiles, and works from famous artists.
12. Metcalfe Hall
Focuses on Kolkata’s history of theatre, art, music, and cinema.
13. RBI Museum
Explains the journey of money from barter to digital currency in a fun, interactive way.
14. Vaidya Vithika Museum of Musical Instruments
Showcases rare Indian musical instruments with details on their making and use.
15. Aircraft Museum
An open-air aviation museum in New Town with aircraft models and a kids’ activity zone.
16. Mother’s Wax Museum
Kolkata’s own wax museum with statues of Gandhi, Lata Mangeshkar, Virat Kohli, Messi, and even a haunted house section.
#KolkataMuseums #IndianMuseum #VictoriaMemorial #AliporeJailMuseum #NetajiBhawan #MarblePalace #JorasankoThakurbari #BirlaMuseum #RBI #WaxMuseum #AircraftMuseum #HeritageKolkata #ExploreKolkata #TravelIndia