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 RajasthanRajasthan, (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.