Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai

Prince of Wales Museum, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, situates in the north of Wellingdon Circle. It is one of the grandest museums in India, collecting numerous exquisite art treasures and artifacts.

Prince of Wales Museum Facts

Names: Prince of Wales Museum, Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum
When was Prince of Wales Museum Built: 1904 - 1914
Who designed Prince of Wales Museum: George Wittet, Scotland
Location: 159-161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai

Over 100 Years’ History of Prince of Wales Museum

As one of the grandest museums in India, Prince of Wales Museum was started construction in 1904 and named so because Wales Prince once came to lay its foundation in 1905. Its construction took 10 years and was finished in 1914. Later, it was turned into a military hospital during World War I. It was not until 1921, Prince of Wales Museum was open to the public officially.

Architectural Style of Prince of Wales Museum

Designed by George Wittet, the designer of famous Gateway of India, Prince Wales Museum shares the style of Muslim architecture in 16th century, and also combines Hindu, Islamic, and European styles. Prince of Wales Museum is a three-floor dome building. Built with basalt, the whole building is magnificent and imposing.

Collections of Prince of Wales Museum               

Besides native Indian collections, Prince Wales Museum has a rich collection of cultural relics from Egypt, Nepal and other countries, as well as Buddhist relics and porcelain unearthed in China. There is a special section displaying relics from China and Japan, which is said to be the first of this kind in India. And in India exhibition areas, classical works of art and sculptures from various periods in India are collected.
               

Exhibition Plans of Prince of Wales Museum          

There are three main exhibition areas in the museum scattering on three different floors, including archaeological area, art area and natural area.

Natural Area is on the first floor, containing Coomaraswamy Hall, Key Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, and Pre & Proto History Gallery; Bird Gallery, Mammal Gallery, Fish & Raptile Gallery, Natural History Section, and Library are located on ground floor of East Wing Extension Building.

Art Area is on the second floor, including Krishna Gallery, Miniature Painting Gallery, Indian Metalware & Decorative Art Gallery, Himalayan Art Gallery and Prints Gallery. And Karl and Meherbai Khandalavala Gallery, Curator’s Gallery, The Coins Gallery, and Premchand Roychand Gallery are in the East Wing Extension Building.

Archaeological Area is on the third floor, there scatter European Painting Gallery, Chinese and Japanese Art Gallery, and Arms & Armour Gallery. And Indian Textiles &Costumes Gallery, and Jehangir Nicholson Gallery are in East Wing Extension Building.     
 

How to get to Prince of Wales Museum

1. Passengers can walk to the Museum from Gateway of India, which is close to each other.
2. Passengers can take bus 14, 69, 101, 130 to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station, then walk there.   
3. Passengers can take bus 70,106, 122, 123, 132, 137 to Church Gate station, then walk there.  

Entry Fee	300 Rupees for foreigners, including voice navigators
Timing	10:15 - 18:00 Ticket office will be closed at 17:45 PM; It also will be closed on Mondays, January 26, May 1, August 15 and October 2.
How Much Time to Spend	1 - 3 hours

See More:

Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai - India's Largest Interactive Science Centre

10 Museums in Mumbai