Renowned as Gujarat’s oldest museum, the Kutch Museum in Bhuj, houses one of the largest existing collections of Kshatrapa inscriptions dating back to the 1st century AD along with some samples of the extinct Kutchi script. The museum was founded by Maharao Khengarji in the year 1877 and has some fascinating collection of coins including the local currency of Kutch — kori.
About The Kutch Museum at Bhuj, Gujarat :
The Kutch Museum at Bhuj initially formed part of the School of Art established by Maharao Khengarji on 1st July, 1877. It is the oldest museum of Gujarat. At the time of Maharao Khengarji’s marriage, an exhibition of 5897 items were exhibited and items worth Rs. 3300 were given to the Museum which necessitated the construction of a new building.
Accordingly, on 14th November, 1884, the foundation stone for the present museum building was laid. The building consisting of 2 floors cost Rs. 32000. The museum is situated almost on the banks of the beautiful Hamirsar lake and just opposite the Nazar Baugh garden.
On the ground floor in the central room is displayed Airavat, an Indian elephant. In 1978 the Govt. of India issued a postal stamp showing Airavat. The museum has the largest collections of Kshatrap inscriptions. It also has a fine collection of Kutch silver, golden and enamelling work, textiles, wood work, coins, old utensils, arms and other archeological objects and a section on the communications of the district
The Construction of Kutch Museum at Bhuj :
At the time of Rao Khengarji’s marriage in February 1884, an exhibition of arts and crafts of Kachchh was organized in which 5,897 items were exhibited. Of these exhibits, items then worth Rs 3300 were given to the museum at the termination of exhibition. These exhibits necessitated the construction of a new building.
To accommodate the additions to the already existing collection of artifacts, it was decided to build a new building. On November 14, 1884 the foundation stone for the present museum building was laid by the then Governor of Bombay, Sir James Fergusson. The two-storeyed building was designed by the state engineer, Mc Lelland and was constructed at a cost of Rs 32,000.
The Maharao named the Museum after Sir Fergusson. Till independence, the Museum remained a preserve of the Maharao who showed it only to his personal guests. The Museum was open to the public only on important religious occasions.
After independence, the Museum was thrown open to the public and through usage came to be known as the Kachchh Museum.
Artifacts on Display :
Airavat
On the ground floor in the central room is displayed Airavat a seven trunked snow white elephant of Indra. Each of the trunks is crowned by a temple. This 18th century wooden masterpiece from Mandvi shows Indra going to worship Tirthankar.
The body of the elephant is painted in the local kamagiri style with flowers and creepers. Govt. of India issued a postal stamp showing this Airavat to commemorate the Museum centenary in 1978.
Inscriptions
The section on inscriptions has a dozen inscriptions. Most of them are ‘Kshatrapa’ inscriptions. The oldest ‘Kshatrapa’ inscription is dated ‘Saka’ eleven (89 AD). Found at Andhau, this is the most important ‘Saka’ inscription. It mentions the name of the founder of the Saka dynasty, Chastan. Since its year of erection is closest to the beginning of the era, it also suggests that the founder of Saka era could be Chastan. Moreover it takes back the Kshatrapa rule by 40 years, as earlier it was believed that their rule started from Saka 52 based on inscriptions found earlier.
Yet another inscription is of Adbir ruler Ishwardev (332 AD). This is the only Abhir inscription of Gujarat. According to late Dr. V.V. Mirashi, this inscription is of Saka year Six (84 AD).
Archaelogy
The archaeological section has two Indus seals; one from Khirsara and a square one showing a unicorn from the famed Indus site of Dholavira. There are also other finds such as cylindrical beads, bangles made from conch shells and perforated pottery found from various sites in Kachchh.
The two seals from Kateshwar cave depicting Lord Buddha in Bhumi Sparsha Mudra are fascinating. Such seals were found in large numbers from Kateshwar, which means that Buddhism prevailed in Kachchh at least till the 9th century AD, the date of these seals.
There are various types of stone tablets. The oldest is dated 1332 V.S. of Waghela ruler, Sarangdev. Another interesting tablet of land grant shows the figures of a cow and boar which was meant to inhibit encroachment by either a Hindu or a Muslim as the killing of these animals is a taboo in their respective religions. The encroachment would tantamount to eating beef or pork as suggested by these figures.
There are three tombstones of the Jews collected from a now extinct Jewish cemetery. The epitaphs on these stones are written in three languages – Herbrew, English and Marathi, these being respective languages of the region.
Paintings
Paintings showing the different vocations of Kachchh drawn a hundred years ago are on display. A 60ft long scroll showing Muhurram procession and another 51ft. long scroll showing Nag Pancham Swari are also noteworthy. Both these festivals were representative of the secular traditions of Kachchh.
The paintings on the wooden doors of a Jain temple of Mandvi show the chowkidars painted in Kamagiri style of painting. In a room on the first floor are on display ornaments of gold and silver done during the late 19th and early 20th century in Bhuj. The gold crown of lord Vishnu acquired from Narayan Sarovar is indeed a very fine creation studded with semi precious stones.
Currency
Kachchh state had its own currency. A small section shows gold silver and copper coins of various denominations. The section has a ten ‘Kori’ as also some ‘Kori’ currency notes, which never became legal tender due to some obscure reason. One can see mint machinery as also coins from almost every country of the world.
Shipping Section
The shipping section shows the models of ships made in Mandvi. The section also has sexton and other equipments used by sailors as also permission documents to anchor at any port of the world. A map shows how the earliest sailors went out.
Musical Instruments
The section on musical instruments shows classical instruments like the ‘veena’, ‘dilruba’ as also a few folk musical instruments like the ‘kani’, ‘nagfani’, ‘Morchang’ etc.
For the Battlefield
The arms and ammunition section displays swords, shields, spears, guptis, daggers, pistols and bayonets. A cannon made in 1790s, with an Arabic inscription is a gift of Tipu Sultan to the army chief Jamadar Fateh Mohmad.
Stamps
The section on Philately shows postal and court fee stamps of the native states as also of the post independent India arranged thematically. A board displays the stamps showing world personalities issued by various countries as also airmail labels used by them.
The Centenary Building
The Centenary building added in 1978 has a section on natural history. Lion, tiger, deer are all shown here for the benefit of the children. The fossilized conch shells and wood fossils found from various parts of Kachchh are also on display. But the main attractions of this section are a model of wild ass and flamingo as these are a peculiarity of this region. Other birds and mammals are also displayed. The crocodiles caught from Hamirsar Tank are displayed as also the first ever caught python and pangolin from Kachchh.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit Kutch Museum is during winter months from October to March. The weather remains pleasant while the temperature ranges from 20 to 28 degree Celsius.
Timing :
The Kutch Museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm in the morning and then from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm except on Wednesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.
How to Reach There :
By road: For those traveling from Ahmedabad, the bus may be more convenient than the train, though slightly more expensive. Several private companies run sleeper buses (with a full horizontal bunk), leaving the city for Bhuj between 8pm and 11pm, arriving in Bhuj between 6am and 8am the next morning. These bus companies all have their offices around Paldi in Ahmedabad; Sahjanand Travels and Patel Travels are two recommended ones. There are also private sitting (non-sleeper) buses, and ST (State Transport) buses that make the trip for less money but considerably less comfortable seats.
By rail: Two daily express trains, the Bhuj Express and the Kutch Express, go from Bhuj to Ahmedabad (8hrs) and on to Mumbai (16hrs.) However, both trains pass through Ahmedabad in the middle of the night, as the schedules are designed to depart and arrive and reasonable hours from Bhuj and Mumbai, not Ahmedabad.
By air: One or more flights daily connect Bhuj to Mumbai.
Once in Bhuj, ST buses go to larger destinations around the district, private jeeps can also be rented (a good option for larger parties), and some smaller places can only be reached bychhakdas.
Location : Bhuj, Gujarat
Established In : 1877 AD.
Significance : Oldest Museum Of Gujarat.
Established By : Maharao Khangarji.