# Indian Museum — Kolkata, India

> Founded in 1814 by the Asiatic Society of Bengal, the Indian Museum in Kolkata is the oldest museum in India and one of the oldest in the world. Its grand colonnaded building on Chowringhee Road has been Kolkata's principal repository of art, archaeology, and natural history for over two centuries.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays and national holidays)
- Admission: ₹500 foreign visitors · ₹50 Indian nationals
- Free entry: Indian nationals ₹50 · School groups discounted
- Address: 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Park Street, Kolkata 700016, India
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://indianmuseumkolkata.org/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Egyptian Mummy — Ptolemaic period · c. 300 BCE
- Bharhut Buddhist Railing Pillar — Sunga period · c. 2nd century BCE
- Gandharan Fasting Buddha — Gandhara school · c. 2nd–3rd century CE
- Ashoka Pillar Fragment — Mauryan · c. 3rd century BCE

## FAQ
**Is the Indian Museum in Kolkata the oldest in India?**
Yes — founded in 1814, it is the oldest museum in India and one of the oldest in the world. It predates the British Museum's public opening by decades in its institutional history.

**How long should I spend at Indian Museum?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Emotionally intense history museums reward unhurried visits — allow longer if reading extensively.

**What is Indian Museum best known for?**
The oldest and largest museum in India and the Asia-Pacific region — founded in 1814, with Egyptian mummies, Buddhist art, Bharhut sculptures, and natural history collections. Key highlights include Egyptian mummy and antiquities, Bharhut and Gandharan Buddhist sculpture, Mauryan and Sunga period archaeology.

**How do I get tickets for Indian Museum?**
₹500 foreign visitors · ₹50 Indian nationals Indian nationals ₹50 · School groups discounted. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://indianmuseumkolkata.org/

**Why does the Indian Museum have an Egyptian mummy?**
The mummy was acquired by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in the early 19th century through colonial-era collecting networks. It remains one of only a handful of Egyptian mummies on display in India.

**What are the Bharhut sculptures?**
Red sandstone carvings from a 2nd-century BCE Buddhist stupa at Bharhut in Madhya Pradesh — among the earliest narrative Buddhist art in India, depicting Jataka stories and worship scenes.

**Is the Indian Museum being renovated?**
Sections of the museum have undergone phased renovation in recent years. Some galleries may be closed — check the official website before visiting to see which sections are open.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/indian-museum-kolkata/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.