CHAPTER XV MUSEUMS, ARCHAEOLOGY AND ARCHIVES
A. MUSEUMS Museums, which function as precious repositories of India's rich and varied cultural heritage, have immense potentialities as centres of culture, education and recreation for the community. The Union Government has, therefore, continued to maintain and develop a few museums of national importance, besides extending financial assistance to State and other museums for their improvement and reorganisation.
2. Central Advisory Board of Museums: The Central Advisory Board of Museums was reconstituted on 28th March, 1966. The Board consists of the representatives of the Central Government, the State Governments and nominees of important museums in the country.
3. Re-organisation and Development of Museums: Under this scheme, financial assistance is given to museums for such items as minor building extensions, equipment, publications or training of museums' staff. On the basis of priorities laid down by the Central Advisory Board of Museums, proposals were invited from the museums in the country and grants-in-aid were sanctioned.
4. Research in Museology : Under the scheme of Reorganisation and Development of Museums, financial assistance is given to three scholars selected every year for doing research is museology. Besides, a monthly allowance of Rs. 250, a lump sum of Rs. 1,000 per year as travel grant and Rs. 500 for the purchase of equipment and books are also given.
5. Museums Camp, 1967: The fifth Museums Camp on Education and Preservation' was held in the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Calcutta, from 5th November to 17th November, 1967. It was attended by delegates from all over the country including the representatives of State Governments and universities.
6. National Art Treasures Fund: An amount of Rs. 7,35,763 is available in this fund. Proposals for utilization of this amount are under consideration.
7. Estimates Committee on Working of Central Museums: The working of all the Central Museums, except Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and Indian War Memorial Museum, was
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examined by the Estimates Committee of the Lok Sabha during the year. A number of valuable recommendations were made by the Committee, These have been examined in consultation with the authorities of the Museums and by and large, accepted for implementation, subject to the availability of funds.
I. National Museum, New Delhi 8. The Purchase Committee for the National Museum met from 4th to 6th November, 1967 and recommended the purchase of art objects worth about Rs. 1,82,000. Of the objects recommended for purchase, the outstanding ones are (1) an inscribed slab from Amravati and (2) a bronze image of Vishnu of the 9th century A.D.
9. Two anthropological specimens of disarticulated and articulated human skeletons (both complete) were purchased and added to the Museum's Physical Anthropology Collection.
10. Three rare 1500-year old ceramic sculptures from Mexico, presented to the National Museum by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, have been added to the Museum's collection which includes over 350 superb art objects in stone, ceramics, wood and metal representing the whole range of the pre-Columbian high cultures of ancient Latin America donated by Mr. Nasli and Mrs. Alice Heeramaneck. This is the first comprehensive and representative collection of pre-Columbian antiquities to find a place in a Museum in Asia and marks a major event in the cultural enrichment of India and its National Museum.
11. The following are some of the gifts received during the year:
(1) A Portrait of a Martyr 'Mr. Jan Hus J.P.' from the Naperstek Museum, Prague, (Czechoslovakia).
(2) Nine Buddhist votive plaques from Mr. Dhanit Yupho, Director General of Fine Art Department, Bangkok.
(3) Three objects-a rare Mongolian Manuscript and two printed illustrated books from Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
(4) One bark cloth or mattress (Anthropological Speci- men) manufactured and used by Garo Tribes, Assam, from Shri N. K. Banerjee.
12. The following have been received on loan from the Director General of Archaeology in India:
(1) Four important and valuable sculptures of the 1st century B.C. from Sanchi.
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(2) One sculpture of the 7th Century A.D. depicting four-armed Vishnu seated on the coils of Adishesha.
(3) One dance and music panel of Harshnath, Sikar, Ra- jasthan 10-11th Century.
(4) Seventeen stone sculptures from Pithalkhora of the 2nd Century B.C.
(5) Six pieces of skeletal material excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India in Nubia, (Egypt).
(6) Seven Bronze images of the Buddha and five um- brellas of the 5-6th Century A.D.
13. The Museum has recently recovered a fine example of a lion capital of the first-second Century A.D. (Kushan period) decorated with carvings of winged lions with riders from Khokrakot, Rohtak.
14. The following are some of the objects sent out during the year :
(1) Two calligraphic specimens--one Persian leaf and one Jain leaf from Kalpasuka-acquired on behalf of Mr. Robert Fulton, were despatched to the Librarian, Western College, Oxford, Ohio (USA).
(2) Two bronze images, one a Vishnu of Chola period and another a Mahisamardini of Pala period, sent on loan to the University of Sydney (Australia), for an exhibition on 'Indian Art-A Survey'.
(3) Under the Museum-to-Museum exchange programme, arrangements were completed for the exchange of two sculptures, (a) Tirthankara of the 11th Century A.D; and (b) Bhikshatanamurthi of the 11-12th Century with four Western art objects-two sculptures and two wood carvings, from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia (USA).
(4) Three stone sculptures for their inclusion in an Exhibition of Indian Handicrafts in Japan.
(5) Twelve art objects including stone and wooden sculptures and terracotta figurines ranging in date from the 5th century A.D. to the 19th century A.D. sent to the Indian Ambassador, Moscow, for presentation on the 15th August 1967 to the Asian Museum, Moscow.
(6) Eighty-four arms from the National Museum Collec- tion were sent on permanent loan to the National Defence Academy Museum, Khadakvasla.
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15. The following special exhibitions were organized during the year:
(1) Exhibition of recent acquisitions of Indian sculptures and bronzes and Pre-Columbian art;
(2) Exhibitions showing the Ratha (temple car) from Pandanallur; and
(3) Exhibition entitled 'A Vision of Royal Personality in India' to mark the inauguration of the ICOM Second International Campaign for Museums and the Twentieth Anniversary of ICOM.
16. In pursuance of the recommendation of the Central Advisory Board of Museums, the National Museum set up a circulating exhibition for Delhi schools. The first circulating exhibition entitled 'Freedom from Hunger' was-mounted on a museo-jeep and taken to three Delhi schools on trial. The second circulating exhibition in the series entitled, 'A Vision of Royal Personality in India' has been set up in the educational gallery of the Museum before being circulated.
17. A short training course was provided to the students of Muscology from Baroda and Calcutta Universities who visited the Museum on study tours.
18. Illustrated lectures on Indian Art, Archaeology and Anth- ropology were delivered by the Keeper (Educational Services) and Keepers and Deputy Keepers of other Departments to various national, and international groups.
19. The Musuem was visited by scholars and museologists from abroad who were invited to give talks in the Museum's Auditorium. These include : (1) Dr. Mrs. Jermila Stepkova, Keeper of the Oriental Numismatic Collection, Neperstek Museum Prague, (2) Prof. Waldemar Chemielewski of Poland, (3) Prof. Urizadneprovsky of the Institute of Archaeology, Leningrad, (4) Madame Krishna Riboud from the Musee Guimet, Paris, (5) Mr. Robert Skelton of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, (6) Dr. J. Rosenfield, Professor of Indian Art, Harvard University, (7) Dr. O. Takaka, Head of the Art and Research Department, Tokyo, (8) Dr. Milo Beach of the Boston Museum, (9) Prof. Benjamin Rowland of the Harvard University, (10) Dr. J. Jeliek, Czechoslovak Archaeologist, and (11) Mr. Francis Brunnel, noted Photographer and Film Producer from France.
20. Visiting dignitaries, delegations and specialized groups of visitors to the Museum were received and shown through the galleries. Total attendance this year was 4,49,493.
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21. The library of the Museum continued to develop steadily during the year. Nearly 1,500 books and 1,400 slides were added to its collection bringing the totals to 18,000 and 6,150 respectively. Reference and research service was rendered to research scholars, university students, museum officers and visitors to the Museum who took advantage of the facilities provided by the library.
22. The modelling section prepared 1,217 casts of art objects and coloured and finished 1,671 casts.
II. Indian War Memorial Museum, Delhi 23. The Indian War Memorial Museum, situated in the Red Fort, Delhi, exhibits arms, ammunition and equipment used in the First World War. It continued to attract a large number of visitors during the year.
III. Indian Museum, Calcutta 24. One of the biggest museums in India, the Indian Museum has been functioning effectively for the last century and a half. It is governed by a Board of Trustees.
25. During the year under review, considerable progress was made in the improvement of its galleries. For the Archaeology group of galleries, some of the Bays, such as the Mathura Bay, the Amravati Bay, Bhumara Bay, as also certain parts of the Gallery representing South Indian schools of sculptures, have been renovated and given a modem look by improvement of lighting, general colouring and set-up. A number of new galleries have also ben set up; these include the Bronze Gallery, Pre- and Proto-History Gallery and the Manuscript Gallery. In the Art Galleries, a number of new arrangements on modem lines were made. These include the textile cases-specially the Carpet, the Shawl and the Bengal Textile Cases-and a few bronze cases displaying the Nepalese and Tibetan bronzes. The setting up of the Nahar Gallery of Oriental Art in its newly renovated separate room has also been a land-mark in this direction.
26. In the Anthropological Section, four habitat cases display- ing tribal and regional life of India received attention for urgent repairs. These cases were further replenished with broad labels as aid to the general public, as also to scholars, for getting a com- prehensive idea as to the physical and cultural background in each case. A new case showing different weapons of the tribal people of India has also been set up. A new Gallery of Musical Instruments has been set up as a part of the Anthropology Galleries
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27. A number of museum objects have been acquired during the year in the different sections by purchase, presentation or permanent loan and will help to fill up some of the existing important lacunae.
28. It is encouraging to note that in their Report, just pub- lished, the Estimates Committee have very much appreciated the progress made in this Museum in all directions and stressed the need for a larger allocation of funds to carry out further improvement. It further stressed the need for a well-equipped and well-staffed preservation laboratory in the absence of which some of the objects acquired more than fifty years ago are liable to get damaged beyond recovery. This has not been possible. But, during the year under review, a chemical section with moderate equipment and staff was started in spite of financial difficulties.
29. The Indian Museum has now a bulletin of its own, The other publications brought out during the year are; Guide Book for Geology; Indian Museum Bulletin; and Picture Post Cards (Art and Archaeology of six kinds).
IV. Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta 30. The Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta, is managed by a Board of Trustees. It accommodates exhibits mainly connected with the British period of Indian history. These exhibits attract a large number of visitors every year. During the year under report, a guide to the various galleries of the Hall was published.
V. Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad 31. The Salar Jung Museum contains collections comprising art objects from various parts of the world. It is under the administrative control of the Salar Jung Museum Board which was reconstituted with effect from July 1, 1966, It is becoming more and more popular and attracts an increasing number of visitors from year to year.
32. The Museum is housed in an old building. A new building built at an estimated cost of Rs. 43 lakh (excluding the cost of the land) jointly contributed by the Government of India, the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Salar Jung Estate Committee, is ready for occupation. The Union Government has made a contribution of Rs. 33.64 lakh.
33. Some of the more important activities of the Museum during the year under review are as follows :
(1) Three art objects of the Museum were given to the Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation of India for
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display in the International Exhibition at Montreal (Canada).
(2) Printing of catalogues of Persian manuscripts, volumes IV, V, VI, IX, X, XI and XII was undertaken. Cataloguing of 664 more Persian manuscripts has been completed.
(3) Inventory registers of all art objects in the Museum have been completed.
VI. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi 34. During the year under review, the two art objects acquired and accessioned were (1) All is Always Now by Tyeb Mehta (2) Fatehpur Sikri by Fatima Ahmed.
35. A total number of 13,350 visitors visited the Gallery. These included many distinguished V.I.P.'s from abroad.
36. The following four paintings were restored
(1) Portrait of Lady Illiot by Bert Harries
(2) Portrait of a lady by Raja Ravi Varma
(3) Haldi Grinders by Amrita Sher Gil
(4) Coloured Huts by A. P. Santhanaraj
37. Two publications of the Gallery i.e. Monograph on A. N. Tagore and Monograph on R. N. Tagore were sent to press during the year.
38. The number of books added to the collection of Art Refercnce Library was 144.
VII.Nehru Memorial Museum and Library 39. Museum: The Nehru Memorial Museum continued to attract large crowds as usual. It was visited by over 500,000 visitors, including many dignitaries.
40. On the occasion of the third anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru's death on May 27, 1967, an exhibition on "Home Rule Movement 1919" was opened to the public. This was designed to depict the story of an important phase of India's struggle, for independence with the help of photographs, documents, newspaper material and mementoes. A new exhibition entitled, "Advent of Freedom" was thrown open to the public on November 14, '1967, the 78th birthday of the late Prime Minister.
41. A rock, on which is being inscribed extracts from the "Tryst with Destiny" speech delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru, on
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the midnight of August 14, 1947, has been put up in the compound of Teen Murti House.
42. Arrangements have been made for screening of films on the national movement to visitors to the Museum on Tuesdays and' Fridays at 4 P.M. These shows have proved to be very popular and it is proposed to hold them more frequently.
43. Library : The number of books so far acquired by the library is 17,862, including 848 back files of old newspapers. During the period under report, special attention was paid to the acquisition of rare books pertaining to modern Indian history. A number of valuable books have also been received from various individuals. Shri J. L. Mehta of Bombay has donated to the library a large part of the rich collection of books of his father, the late Lallubhai Samaldas and of his brother, the late V. L. Mehta.
44. The newspaper collection has been further enriched with the accession of the back volumes of the Hindu, 1953-58; Tribune, 1954-58; Amrit Bazar Patrika, 1942-58; The Hindustan Times, 1942-58; The Times of India, 1958; National Herald, 1953-58 and Statesman, 1958.
45. The press clippings section has also received 37 files of clippings from the collection of the late Shri R. P. Masani and 250 files from the AICC. Nearly 1,000 press clippings on Jawaharlal Nehru were also acquired during the period.
46. Photographic Library : The collection of photographs now stands at 16,696. Among that new acquisitions are the rare photographs of leaders of the Home Rule Movement and photographs of Jawaharlal Nehru's visits to Hindustan Steel Mills at Rourkela.
47. Manuscript Section: During the period under review, several important collections of papers have been acquired. These include :
(1) Indian States Peoples Conference Papers
(2) Records of Mahakoshal Congress Committee and Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee for the period before 1956.
(3) Papers and correspondence of Purushottamdas Tha- kurdass