JoanneMoffit: article.

2023-10-05T04:52:05Z

article.

New page

{{Short description|Museum in Rajasthan, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox museum
| image = City-Palace-Alwar.jpg
| map_type =
| established = {{Start date|1940}}
| location = [[Alwar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|27.56962|N|76.59369|E|display=title,inline}}
| type = [[Art museum]]
}}
'''Government Museum''', '''Alwar''' is a museum located in the Vinay Vilas Mahal of City Palace [[Alwar]] in [[Rajasthan]], India. The museum collection captures the cultural, historical, and military past of [[Rajputana]]. It emerged from the interest of the royal house of Alwar in collecting specimens of exquisite artistry.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lapierre |first1=Dominique |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=52lcuAAACAAJ |title=Freedom at Midnight |last2=Collins |first2=Larry |date=2007 |publisher=Vikas |isbn=978-81-259-3186-7 |language=en}}</ref> The collection was formally opened as a museum in 1940.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ouN6tAEACAAJ |title=Museums of Rajasthan |date=2009 |publisher=Mapin Publishing |isbn=978-0-944142-64-6 |language=en}}</ref> The building also serves as space for many government offices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Safvi |first=Rana |date=2017-05-27 |title=In a state of neglect |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/in-a-state-of-neglect/article18591365.ece |access-date=2023-04-16 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This 18th century palace, built by Maharao Raja Vinay Singh, third ruler of [[Alwar State]], is an amalgamation of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] and [[Rajput architecture]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=Rajasthan, A Quick Guide to Alwar |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/51585/rajasthan_a_quick_guide_to_alwar |website=Outlook Traveller}}</ref> The museum houses a collection that comprises 234 sculptures, 11 inscriptions, 9702 coins, 35 metal objects, 2565 paintings and manuscripts, 2270 armoury items and 1809 miscellaneous objects of local craftsmanship. Looking at the predominance of paintings, manuscripts, and weapons, its curator in the 1960's, P. L. Chakravarti, called it a ''socio-military museum''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Catalogue and Guide to Government Museum, Alwar |url=http://www.indianculture.gov.in/other-collections/catalogue-and-guide-government-museum-alwar |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=INDIAN CULTURE |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
The members of [[Naruka]] clan were the rulers of Alwar in the princely state era before India became independent.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Faulkner |first=Alexander Smith |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxzmVw7PfEoC |title=An Historical Sketch of the Naruka State of Ulwar in Rajputana |date=1895 |publisher=Thacker, Spink |language=en}}</ref> The rulers had a taste for fine and exquisite items.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lapierre |first1=Dominique |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=52lcuAAACAAJ |title=Freedom at Midnight |last2=Collins |first2=Larry |date=2007 |publisher=Vikas |isbn=978-81-259-3186-7 |language=en}}</ref> With the decline of [[Delhi]] as a center for imperial patronage, many artists and artisans were employed by Alwar court. They brought Mughal aesthetics which explains the significant collection of [[Mughal painting|Mughal paintings]] in the museum.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rajasthan (India) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Es0CtyVWoGMC |title=Rajasthan District Gazetteers: Alwar |last2=Sehgal |first2=K. K. |date=1968 |language=en}}</ref> Not only Delhi artists but the rulers supported and encouraged local art and crafts. They welcomed art dealers from Delhi and built a collection of paintings (18th-19th centuries) as well as rare manuscripts in several languages such as [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Urdu]], [[Arabic]], and [[Sanskrit]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alwar Tourism Alwar Travel Guide {{!}} Why Visit Alwar Rajasthan |url=https://www.rajasthandirect.com/tourism/alwar |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Rajasthan Direct}}</ref>
[[File:Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar State.jpg|thumb|155x155px|Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar State]]
Maharao Raja Sawai Vinay Singh (1815–1857) made Alwar his capital. In the new capital, he established a manuscript library, a painting department, and an armoury. He also acquired the Mughal collections that disbursed from Delhi after the decline of the Mughal dynasty in 19th century and added them to his collection. The objects he gathered were exhibited and shown to important state guests and members of the royal family.<ref name=":0" /> Sawai Maharaja [[Jai Singh Prabhakar|Jai Singh]] (1892–1937), ruler of Alwar, was a patron of art and literature. He was himself an artist. It is said that he would often himself correct the mistakes of the artists.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Sita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qZvWAAAAMAAJ |title=Krishna Leela Theme in Rajasthani Miniatures |date=1987 |publisher=Pragati Prakashan |language=en}}</ref> Maharaja [[Tej Singh Prabhakar|Tej Singh]] (1937–1947) and his prime minister Major Harvey organised the royal collection into a museum within the palace, which was inaugurated in November 1940.<ref name=":0" />

== Collections ==
The rulers of Alwar had collected rare and valuable pieces to preserve as well as to inspire and guide the artists. The collection of the museum has been arranged in three big halls of City Palace, Alwar.<ref name=":1" />

First hall is mainly focused on sculptures and inscriptions. It also exhibits hunting prowess of the royal family in displays of skins of wild animals like lion, tiger, leopard etc. The stuffed birds and animals that had been a royal game have also been displayed. Various specimens of arts and crafts, coins are also included here. Second hall houses the precious collection of Persian, Urdu, Arabic and Sanskrit manuscripts as well as paintings belonging to Mughal and [[Rajput painting|Rajput School of painting]]. Third section of the museum belongs to the armoury of the rulers of Alwar state. It showcases many types of weapons such as [[shield|shields]], [[Sword|swords]], [[Pistol|pistols]], [[Rifle|rifles]], and [[Dagger|daggers]] among others.<ref name=":1" />

=== Sculptures and inscriptions ===
The sculptures and inscriptions in the museum collection are important historical sources for the region. The sculptures procured from the ruins of nearby sites like [[Bhangarh]], [[Neelkanth temple, Alwar district|Neelkanth]] etc. evidence the high stage of development of plastic art. A dancing statue of [[Ganesha]] (1044 CE) depicts the fluidity that the sculptors of the region had achieved. Another 12th century [[Shiva]]-[[Parvati]] statue is rich in details.<ref name=":1" />

Inscriptions such as those belonging to important historical figures like [[Bahlul Lodi|Bahlol Lodi]], Jain inscriptions, and Sati stone inscriptions throw light upon the history and culture of the region. The section also has specimens of various arts and crafts.<ref name=":1" /><gallery>
File:मन्दिर वास्तु खण्ड (FRAGMENT OF A TEMPLE).jpg|Fragment of a Temple
File:नक्काशीदार प्रस्तर खंड (Carved Stone Block).jpg|Carved Stone Relief
File:प्रतिमाखंड, 11वीं‌ शताब्दी (Fragment of a Pillar, 11th century).jpg|Fragment of a Pillar
File:अलवर संग्रहालय में प्रदर्शित चंदन काष्ठ कला का नमूना.jpg|Sandalwood Carving
File:शिव और पार्वती Shiva and Parvati.jpg|Shiva Parvati
File:जैन तीर्थंकर संभवनाथ (JAIN TIRTHANKAR SAMBHAVNATH).jpg|Jain Tirthankar
</gallery>

=== Paintings and manuscripts ===
[[File:6 Gulam Ali Khan. A folio from Alwar Gulistan illustrating a story from chapter 5 'Of Love and Youth'. 1840-50, Government Museum, Alwar..jpg|thumb|Gulam Ali Khan. A folio from Alwar Gulistan illustrating a story from chapter 5 'Of Love and Youth'. 1840-50, Government Museum, Alwar.]]
The museum has a rich collection of manuscripts with 4863 Sanskrit manuscripts, 608 Persian manuscripts, 374 Hindi manuscripts, and 73 Urdu manuscripts in its library and exhibits. A manuscript of [[Baburnama]] with 18 illustrations of the year 1530, belongs to the reign of [[Humayun]]. This is a Persian translation of Turkish original by [[Bairam Khan]]. The illustration of [[Gulistan (book)|Gulistan]], [[Saadi Shirazi|Shaikh Sadi]]'s collection of poems, was prepared on the order of Vinay Singh. The pages are highly ornamented, of which 17 are illustrated. The museum also has a number of copies of the [[Quran]], many of them illuminated. Some famous and important paintings in the collection are from the folios of Gulistan of S’adi (the Garden of roses) and Bostan (the Garden of Spring). The museum houses notable and historically significant collection of paintings from illustrated manuscripts that include gems like ''Waqiat-i-Babri.''<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Alwar |first=Government Museum |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BETgAAAAMAAJ |title=A Descriptive Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts in the Government Museum. Alwar, on the Lines Prescribed by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs, Government of India |date=1969 |publisher=Department of Museums & Archaeology, Government of Rajasthan |language=en}}</ref> The museum also has a copy of [[Mahabharata]] which has illustrations of Alwar school of painting.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cOkfAAAAMAAJ |title=Indian Museums Review |date=1961 |publisher=Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs, Government of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Crump |first1=Vivien |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P_BuAAAAMAAJ |title=Rajasthan |last2=Toh |first2=Irene |date=1996 |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf, Incorporated |isbn=978-0-679-76591-2 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Arms and armoury ===
The museum has a huge collection of armoury which is a testimony to the role of Alwar state as a strategic stronghold for both [[Rajput|Rajputs]] and Mughals.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Museum |first=Alwar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9D30GgAACAAJ |title=Arms from the Museum Alwar |date=1991 |publisher=Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Rajasthan |language=en}}</ref> It is a famous saying that there can only be one sword in one case, but the museum houses a sheath with two swords in it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-25 |title=एक म्यान में दो तलवार अलवर में ही संभव {{!}} alwar muesuem has two swords in one sheath |url=https://www.patrika.com/alwar-news/alwar-muesuem-has-two-swords-in-one-sheath-2035247/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Patrika News |language=hi-IN}}</ref> There is also a unique weapon called ''Camel gun'' which is a small cannon, also known as a [[swivel gun]]. It was a specialized form of self-propelled small canon manouvered by a soldier, while the weapon was mounted on a camel. When the canon was fired the camel was made to sit on the knees. It was also known as ''Shuturnal'' or ''Shaheen'' and manufactured in Machedi in Alwar.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JAgo38JyAP8C |title=The Researcher |date=1970 |publisher=Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Rajasthan. |language=en}}</ref> Two thousand different types of swords and spears are also a part of the collection. ''Johardar'' and ''Lakhi'' are famous swords, believed to be unparalleled in India. ''Sosanpatta'', is another famous sword, whose blade is in the shape of an Iris leaf.<ref>{{Cite book |last=University |first=Kurukshetra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VSsUAQAAMAAJ |title=Research Journal: arts and humanities |date=1980 |publisher=Kurukshetra University. |language=en}}</ref><gallery>
File:तोप , अलवर सिटी पैलेस संग्रहालय (Cannons at Alwar City Palace Museum).jpg|Canons at Alwar Government Museum
File:Body Armour of Yashwant Rao Holkar, Alwar City Palace Museum.jpg|Body armour of Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar
File:जम्बूरा बन्दूक, अलवर सिटी पैलेस संग्रहालय (Camel Gun at Alwar City Palace Museum).jpg|Camel Guns or Swivel Guns
</gallery>

== Significance ==
The fondness of swords for the rulers of Alwar made the art of sword making popular in the kingdom. A number of sword makers, called ''sikaligar'', joined the royal services. Many collaborations with Mughal sword makers were also facilitated. The blades of these swords were made with strong local steel called ''sakela.'' Alwar became a centre for making finest swords and many other weapons.<ref name=":0" />

For the purpose of research in [[Indology]], the manuscripts and other historical objects make the museum a very useful site.<ref name=":2" /> Some excellent specimens of practice of pre-modern [[Bookbinding|book binding]] are also present in the museum.<ref name=":1" />
== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Museums in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Museums established in 1940]]
[[Category:1940 establishments in India]]

Government Museum, Alwar - Revision history

JoanneMoffit: article.