Junagarh Fort Museum
| Place | Bikaner |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1961 |
| Museum Type | Heritage and Archaeological (Fort Museum) |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Bikaner Fort, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001 |
| Visiting Time | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Open daily) |
| Entry Fee | Indian Adults: ₹50; Indian Students: ₹30; Foreign Nationals: ₹300; Foreign Students: ₹150 |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1961 by Maharaja Karni Singhji, the museum is housed within the Junagarh Fort, a 16th-century fortification originally known as Chintamani. It was created to preserve the artistic and historical legacy of the Rathore rulers of Bikaner. The museum complex is renowned for its blend of Rajput, Mughal, and Gujarati architectural styles.
General Collections
The collection includes royal costumes, textiles, exquisite jewelry, and an extensive armory featuring shields, swords, and early firearms. It also houses various ceremonial objects, silver palanquins, and a significant array of miniature paintings from the Bikaner school.
Unique Historical Collections
The museum preserves a rare DH-9 DE Havilland biplane from World War I, which was presented to Maharaja Ganga Singhji in recognition of the Bikaner Camel Corps' services. It also features the Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace), decorated with blue-and-white frescoes depicting rain and lightning.
Additional Information
| Video URL | https://youtu.be/l15eOOhA0Ak?si=IctLa5-MS7LBftsL |
|---|---|
| Video Courtesy | Museums of Gujarat YT Channel |
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
| Notes | The fort is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan not built on a hilltop. The museum includes the Anup Mahal, famous for its intricate gold leaf work and "Usta Art" craftsmanship. |
| Artifacts | DH-9 DE Havilland World War I Plane; Silver Palki (Palanquin); Sandalwood throne of the Rathore dynasty; Maharaja Ganga Singhji's personal weapons; Inscribed Sanskrit and Persian manuscripts. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 151 254 3161 |
| Email ID |