Situated in the heart of old city and close to the railway station, the museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace built by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1616 AD. What is today commonly known as Magazine is the palace quarters where the emperors lived. After the British occupation in 1818 AD and during the first world war of Independence in 1857 AD, it was used as the Rajputana Arsenal by the British, which gave the name 'Magazine'.


The Museum was started in 1908 AD by the Government of India with the object of collecting and preserving many unique objects of antiquarian interest,, which were lying uncared for and scattered all over Rajasthan. The Rajputana Museum as it is significantly named, has in its galleries important exhibits from almost all the princely states. There is a library attached to his museum, which contains rare books and important historical publications. The museum's main sections are devoted to sculptures, epigraphs, prehistoric antiquities, arms and weapons. Besides, there are objects from Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpara and other exhibits lying in various godowns forming a large reserve collection.

Display Sections
Sculptures, Epigrahps & Prehistoric Antiques

Exhibits / Collection
Sculptures constitute the most interesting section in this museum. The collection is enormously rich and varies from periods ranging from the Gupta to the late Medieval period. Mention should be made here of the interesting Chaturmukh Shivlinga, Marriage of Lord Shiva from Kaman, Lingodbhava Mahesvara from Harshnath and other fine Shiva-Parvati panels from Katara (Bharatpur) and Kusma (Sirohi). There are a number of Surya ,Vishnu (including a 'Trimurti') Hari Hara Lakshmi-Narayan, Revanta, Kuber and Mother & child images in the collection. Of the female divinities, the Saptamatrikas, Mahisasur-Mardini, Kali, Jain Saraswati and early independent icon of various mother goddesses deserve special mention. An excellent collection of sculptures from the Chauhan centre of Baghera (10th, 12th AD) in Ajmer District, are also preserved here. A fine collection of Tirthankara images and rare images of Gomukha Yaksha and Saraswati are also on display in the Jain gallery of this museum. Compared with this, there are only a few Buddhist objects in the museum. The artistic genius and wonderful craftsmanship of ancient Rajasthan, are reflected in the vast collection of the museum.

( II ) The epigraphical exhibits, which number about one hundred, are unsurpassed in many respects. Of special interest among them are :

Brahmi inscription from Barli (assignable to circa 2nd century B.C.) Inscribed slab from Nagari. Samoli Inscription of Siladitya. Jodhpur Inscription of Bauka. Pratapgarh Inscription of Mahendrapala II. Two slabs inscribed with the Drama Harakeli Nataka from Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra. Slab containing drama Lalita Vigraharaj Nataka by somodeva also from Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra. Barla inscription of Prithiviraj Chauhan III.

( III ) A number of important copper plate grants add to the value of rich collection of museum. They include.

Two copper plates of Maharaj Sarvanath of Uchhakapla (437-38 A.D. referring to Kalachuri Era). Daulatpura copper plate of partihar Bhojadeva. Two copperplates form Banswara (forming one grant of the Paamar King Bhojadeva. Copper plate of Rana Kumbhja of Mewar.

( IV ) Of the early coins, there are punch marked, Sibi-Janpada, Indo-Greek, Indo Sassanian, Kushan and Gupta coins preserved in the coin cabinet of this museum. This also contains coins of the Rajput rulers and also of the Mughal and Pathan rulers.

( V) Paintings section contains more than a hundred exhibits, including a dozen rare paintings. The paintings of Birbal, Muslim prince and Farrukshyar deserve mention. These paintings depict well known Rajput Kings.

General Information
Location
Ajmer, Rajasthan
Best Time
10.00 am To 4.30 pm
Timings
10.00 am to 4.30 pm
Closed: Friday and gazetted holidays
Admission Fees
Free entry every Monday

Prime Attractions of Ajmer
Ajmer-e-Sharief Dargah
At the foot of a barren hill, is situated India?s most important pilgrimage center for people from all faiths. It is the splendid tomb of the Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti more popularly known as Khawaja Saheb or Khawaja Sharif.

Urs Fair
The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is the place where the Saint's mortal remains lie buried and is the site of the largest Muslim fair in India. More than five lakh devotees belonging to different communities gather from all parts of the subcontinent to pay homage to the Khwaja on his Urs (death anniversary) during the first six days of 'Rajab' (seventh month of the Islamic calendar.)

Taragarh Fort
Built in the 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan, the fort gives a bird's eye view of the city. Taragarh Fort or the 'Star fort' is situated on a hill and to reach there, one has to take winding bridle path.