Located in the centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, this is the oldest Museum in the State. The building was designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob. It was built in 1876 AD when King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of Wales. It was opened to public in 1886 AD


Display Sections
The various sections represented in the museum are:

Art and Industry (Metal, Wood and Pottery) Armoury Textiles Carpets Paintings; (vi) Geology Zoology Botany and Toys & Dolls

There is a Persian garden carpet of a fabulous cost obtained by Mirza Raja Jai Singh I from Shah Abbas of Persia. It contains various sketches of a Persian garden with running water streams.

There is also an Egyptian mummy belonging to the Ptolemaic Epoch. There are miniature paintings of various sub-schools of Rajasthan. A glimpse of the land and the people of Rajasthan is presented through well planned dioramas.

From 1959 onwards, the various galleries along the ground floor of the museum were completely reorganized and renovated. People of Rajasthan, (both males and females) from the higher strata of society, such as Rajputs and Seths as well as the common tribal people like Meenas, Bhopas, Bhils, Gadoliya Lohars etc find depiction here in their typical dresses and ornaments.

Typical designs and motifs in Mehndi Mandana, so characteristic of Rajasthani ladies, are also highlighted in the gallery. In one of the chambers of the wing is exhibited puppetry from Rajasthan and the painted scroll delineating the scenes from Pabuji Rathore's life, a great folk- hero from Marwar.

Exhibits / Collection
The central gallery is devoted to Rajasthani music and dance. Original musical instruments, both classical and folk, are displayed in their functional positions. Specimens include typical folk instruments like Masak, Kamayacha, Dadh, Madal, Khanjari, Sitari, Bankia, Fungi, Algoja, Iktara etc.

The dances illustrated in the gallery include classical ones like Kathak, for which Jaipur Gharana is famous, as well as popular folk dances such as Dandia, Ghoomar, Holi etc. Festivals (like Holi, Gangaur etc.) and ceremonies (like marriage) are also dioramized in a lively manner. The museum functions as the State Museum of Rajasthan.

General Information
Location
In Ram Niwas Bagh, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Timings
10.00 am to 4.30 pm
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

Prime Attractions of Jaipur
Hawa Mahal
Jaipur's signature building, the Hawa Mahal, a multi layered palace, was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Famous for it's beehive like structure, the Mahal is an interplay of red and pink sand stone, carefully and painstakingly outlined with white borders and motifs.

Amber Fort
Overlooking the Delhi Jaipur Highway, the image of the Amber Fort is beautifully reflected in the lake below. Within the Fort lies the famous Jai Mandir (Temple) with its world renowned Sheesh Mahal, a hall full of Mirrors.

Jal Mahal
The Jal Mahal Palace, Jaipur is noted for its intricate architecture. The Palace was developed as a pleasure spot. It was used for the royal duck shooting parties.

Jantar Mantar
At the entrance to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the 'Yantralaya' of Sawai Jai Singh II, the last great classical astronomer in India. The modernistic structures known as 'Yantras' are the unique creations of this astronomer-king designed by him and built by experts to observe the movements of sun, moon, planets and the stars.

Nahargarh Fort
Beyond the hills of Jaigarh, stands the fort of Nahargarh like a watchful sentinel guarding Sawai Jai Singh's beautiful capital.

Sawai Man Singh Museum
Located within the City Palace complex and nestled amidst old buildings, temples and the palace quarters, this museum was founded in 1959 by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. The exhibits comprise of the ancestral collections built up by the successive rulers of Amer and Jaipur.

Sheetla Mata Fair
The Sheetla Mata Fair is held in March-April, the month of Chaitra, in village Seel-Ki-Doongri, Jaipur. Doongri is a hillock on top of which the shrine of Sheetla Mata stands. The fair is held in her honour every year and attracts hordes of visitors from far and wide.