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.
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( 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.
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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.