Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum is a historic museum situated in Mumbai, India. This museum is officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum was the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the great emperor of the Maratha Kingdom, who reigned from 1630 to 1680.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum

Prince of Wales Museum of Western India has 70,000 historic & artistic works. Artifacts alone number around 50,000. Cultural activities, exhibitions, etc, are conducted frequently at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. The Museum is divided into three sections: Art, Archaeology, and Natural History.

Items on display include sculptures, bronzes, European paintings, Indian miniature paintings, terracotta, porcelain, and ivories from Japan and China, etc. Excavated artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan sites (The Harappan period dates back to C.2000- B.C. 1200) are also displayed at the Shivaji Museum. Besides these, the Museum has a separate Natural History section.

Relics from the period of Chalukyas, Guptas, Mauryas, and Rashtrakuta are on display here. Collections of Sir Purushottam Mavji, Sir Ratan Tata, and Sir Dorab Tata are also on display here. There is also a Prints gallery, Maritime Heritage Gallery, and Forestry section. “Karl and Meherbai Khandalavala Collection” and “The Coins of India” are two new galleries added in 2008. “Krishna Gallery” was also added in 2008. It has artworks related to Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu. A textile gallery was added in 2010.

Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, a Grade I Heritage Building, is one of the finest examples of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. UNESCO awarded this building the UNESCO Asia–Pacific Heritage Award in 2010. Indo-Saracenic style of architecture combines Indian Hindu architectural style and Saracen (Muslim) architectural style, along with minor elements from the Western style of architecture. The dome of the Museum is styled like that of Golconda Fort, and the inner vaulting arches are styled on the lines of Gol Gumbaz.

Prince of Wales Museum was built in memory of the visit of the Prince of Wales (who later became King George V). The idea of building the museum was by a group of prominent people from Mumbai (Bombay was the name of the city till 1995). The Prince of Wales laid the Foundation Stone for the Museum on 11th November 1905. The museum was built with public contribution and aid from the then Government of the Bombay Presidency. The construction was completed by 1914. It was opened to the public on 10 January 1922.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya has a well-laid garden in the front. The garden was previously named Victoria Gardens and is now known as Jijamata Udyaan. Jijamata Udyaan, alias Victoria Gardens, still retains its original plan. George Wittet was the architect of the Museum. In 2008, the building area was increased by 30,000 square feet, to accommodate the growing demands of the Museum.

How Do I Go to Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum?

Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, or Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is situated at the heart of South Mumbai. It is located on Gandhi Road at Fort Mumbai. It is opposite the Byculla railway station, on the Central line of Mumbai Suburban Railway. Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum is near the India Gate or Gateway of India.

This Museum is well connected by buses to all parts of Mumbai. Mumbai is well connected by trains to different parts of the country. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport, previously known as Santa Cruz Airport, is the nearest airport to Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum.