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Museums of Vidarbha: A Glimpse into History, Science and Tribal Culture

Museums of Vidarbha: A Glimpse into History, Science and Tribal Culture
Museums of Vidarbha: A Glimpse into History, Science and Tribal Culture

In different corners of Vidarbha, a collection of museums safeguards fragments of the region’s past, science, heritage and cultural transitions.


These institutions, some well-known and others tucked away in smaller towns or forests, are more than just repositories of artefacts. They offer insights into ways of life that have shaped the identity of this part of Maharashtra.


Spread across Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati and beyond, these museums reflect the diversity of Vidarbha's social and cultural fabric without being grand monuments.



A Museum of Origins and Artefacts


The Nagpur Central Museum, popularly called Ajab Bangala, has been part of the city since 1863. Built under British patronage, it holds one of the largest and oldest archaeological collections in Central India.


The museum covers more than 30,000 items ranging from dinosaur fossils to tribal jewellery. Spread across eleven themed galleries, it also features coins, medieval weaponry, and remnants of ancient civilisations.

Space constraints prevent the full display of its holdings, with many objects kept in reserve. Nevertheless, it remains one of the few institutions in the region that bridges natural history and cultural heritage under one roof.


In recent years, renovations have introduced digital kiosks and QR-coded descriptions in multiple languages. Gardens and a cafeteria have been added to improve the visitor experience.


Maintenance is carried out by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra. While official visitor numbers are not disclosed annually, events like World Museum Day continue to draw significant footfall.



The museum has maintained its importance by balancing old-world preservation with small steps towards interactivity.


Despite modern additions, some galleries remain under renovation, and storage constraints continue to limit their full potential.


At the edge of Nagpur, a different kind of museum has been constructed at Shantivan Chicholi. Managed by the Indian Buddhist Council, this museum is dedicated to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

It contains personal memorabilia such as robes, handwritten material and symbolic artefacts. The museum, part of a larger cultural complex, attracts visitors especially during Ambedkar Jayanti and major Buddhist events. It remains accessible throughout the year and is one of the more recent additions to the cultural landscape of Vidarbha.


Its upkeep is handled by a private trust, and the infrastructure reflects modern construction standards.


Gandhian Footprints in Sevagram


Wardha hosts two of Vidarbha’s distinctive museums with connections to Mahatma Gandhi. The first is the Sevagram Ashram Museum.


Located in the village where Gandhi made his home from 1936 to 1948, it offers a close-up view of his daily life.

Items like his spinning wheel, sandals, walking stick, writing desk and weighing scales are on display. Preserved in their original locations within the ashram, these objects retain their historical context. The museum also features a photographic gallery and selected correspondence, giving visitors a deeper look into the freedom movement and Gandhi’s daily routine.


Maintenance of the ashram and its museum is managed by Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan. During commemorative events such as Gandhi Jayanti, the site sees a noticeable increase in footfall.


Throughout the year, school groups, researchers and pilgrims visit regularly, keeping it active though not overly crowded. Its condition reflects a balance between preservation and accessibility, with original huts like Bapu Kuti kept in their authentic form.


A short distance from the Ashram lies the Magan Sangrahalaya, established by Gandhi himself in 1938. The museum focuses on rural technology and Khadi, showcasing over thirty forms of village-based industries.


These include tools for oil extraction, handmade paper units, solar-powered charkhas and leather goods made without harm to animals. Visitors can also see collections of woven fabrics and blended textiles.


Each gallery is designed to demonstrate self-reliant practices rooted in Gandhian thought. The institution also includes a naturopathy clinic and a training centre for village artisans.


Managed by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, the museum is well-maintained. Visitor numbers are modest and largely consist of students, researchers, and those connected with Khadi organisations. Infrastructure such as demonstration spaces and educational showrooms is in working order.


What distinguishes this museum is its continuous function as a space for education and demonstration, not just preservation.


Scientific Inquiry and Tribal Voices


The Raman Science Centre in Nagpur presents a very different atmosphere from the older heritage museums. Opened in 1992 and managed by the National Council of Science Museums, it includes four thematic galleries dedicated to physics, biology, information technology and innovation.


A planetarium, added in 1997, shows regular astronomy presentations. Hands-on exhibits encourage interaction, allowing visitors to engage directly with scientific concepts.

Augmented reality shows, outdoor models, and a prehistoric animal display contribute to the museum’s appeal.


Footfall has consistently been high. In 2014–15, the centre recorded nearly 583,000 visitors. Weekend events, school visits, and thematic exhibitions attract diverse audiences.


The museum is well-maintained, with periodic additions such as new 3D shows and an Innovation Centre launched in 2017. Unlike many museums that serve as passive archives, this one has positioned itself as an educational platform. It remains one of the busiest and most visited museums in Vidarbha.


In contrast, the Semadoh Nature Interpretation Centre in Melghat, Amravati, is focused on conservation. Managed by the forest department, this facility offers information on the biodiversity of Melghat Tiger Reserve.

Exhibits include taxidermy animals, dioramas of forest ecosystems, and interpretive panels about local tribal communities. Visitors mostly include tourists heading for the safari experience. Feedback suggests that the facility is in a functional state but could benefit from improved upkeep. Renovation plans have been discussed as part of a larger eco-tourism development in the reserve.



A new addition to Vidarbha’s museum landscape is expected in the coming years. The Grand Gondwana Tribal Cultural Museum, to be built in Surabardi near Nagpur, will highlight the traditions, lifestyles and histories of 45 tribal communities.


It will present exhibits on tribal art, handicrafts, dances, music, and freedom fighters. Construction is slated to begin in 2025, with the project covering fifteen acres.


The museum is being developed by the Maharashtra Tribal Development Department. Once operational, it will fill a significant gap in tribal representation within the region’s cultural institutions.


Vidarbha’s museums vary in their subjects, scale and presentation styles, but each of them holds a distinct role.


Whether through the spinning wheels in Sevagram, the fossils at Ajab Bangala, or interactive science at Raman Centre, these institutions carry the weight of memory and education. As new museums come up and older ones receive attention, their presence continues to connect Vidarbha’s cities and villages to the broader pasts and futures they represent.



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