https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Watson_MuseumWatson Museum - Revision history2026-10-22T08:36:25ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Watson_Museum&diff=176410&oldid=previmported>Billjones94 at 13:13, 15 June 20212021-06-15T13:13:49Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}<br />
{{Infobox museum<br />
|name = Watson Museum<br />
|image = Watson Museum.jpg<br />
|imagesize = 250px<br />
|map_type =<br />
|coordinates = {{coord|22.300532|70.801762|display=inline}}<br />
|founder = [[John Watson (Indian Army officer)|Colonel John Watson]]<br />
|established = 1888<br />
|location = Jubilee Garden, [[Rajkot]]<br />
|type = Multi Purpose <ref>"[http://gist.ap.nic.in/cgi-bin/mus/musshow.cgi/?SP=0165&nam=WATSON%20MUSEUM%20RAJKOT Watson Museum]", Retrieved on 5 December 2008</ref><br />
|visitors = 78,000 (2007-2008)<br />
|director =<br />
|curator = S. M. Dalal<br />
|publictransit =<br />
|website =<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<span lang="Gu" dir="ltr">The</span> '''Watson Museum''', considered to be one of the best among the seven such museums located across [[Saurashtra (region)]] and managed by the Gujarat state Government, it has collections of precious objects from the princely [[Rajkot State|State of Rajkot]] founded by the [[Jadeja|Jadeja Rajputs]]. It holds invaluable articles, artifacts, photographs, a reference library and the museum's publication are sold through a counter.<br />
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==History==<br />
The museum is set up in the Queen Victoria memorial institute buildings located in Jubilee Garden, [[Rajkot]]. The museum was named in fond memory of '''Colonel John Watson''' in 1888 who was a British political agent of [[Kathiawar Agency]] from 1881 to 1889. Watson Museum is the second most important museum in Gujarat, after the [[Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery|Museum of Baroda]] and is the oldest museum in [[Saurashtra (region)]]. Colonel Watson was fond of history and archaeology and used to collect information on Rajkot. Most of his collections and other artifacts are preserved here. The museum building was completed in 1893, and opened to the public by Governor [[George Harris, 4th Baron Harris|Lord George Harris]] of [[Bombay Presidency]].<ref>"[http://rajkotcityguide.com/guide08/visit-rajkot Visit Rajkot]", Retrieved on 5 December 2008</ref><br />
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The Watson Museum exhibits copies of artifacts from [[Mohenjodaro]], natural history, 13th century carvings, temple statues, costumes and design of the houses of the local tribal people. The Watson Museum also houses an excellent collection of traditional, archaeological items and coins.<br />
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While the museum's archeology gallery also boasts of artifacts of prehistoric period and the [[Indus Valley Civilization|Harappan civilization]] in the archeology gallery, a treasure of sculptures belonging to erstwhile [[Ghumali]] - a capital of Jethwa - grace the sculpture gallery.<br />
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==Sections==<br />
[[File:Watson Museum Queen Victoria Statue.jpg|250px|thumb|The statue of Queen Victoria, unveiled by the Lord Curzon of Kedleston in 1897]]<br />
* Sculptures<br />
* Paintings and Manuscripts<br />
* Textile<br />
* Inscription<br />
* Coins <ref>"[http://cities.expressindia.com/local-news/fullstory.php?newsid=68327 Gets Rare Coins]", Retrieved on 11 January 2008</ref><br />
* Anthropology<br />
* Folk Embroidery<br />
* Handicraft<br />
* Musical Instruments<br />
* Wood Work<br />
* Natural History<br />
* Rocks and Minerals<br />
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==Annual events==<br />
# '''Bhartiya Shilp Samruddhi''' : It is week-long celebration organized every year in the second week of January.<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist|2}}<br />
<br />
<!--start of Category boxes-->{{clear}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Rajkot]]<br />
[[Category:Museums in Gujarat]]<br />
[[Category:Art museums and galleries in India]]<br />
[[Category:Museums established in 1893]]<br />
[[Category:1893 establishments in India]]<br />
[[Category:Decorative arts museums in India]]<br />
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Rajkot]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Rajkot district]]</div>imported>Billjones94