Musa Dakri Museum AMU - Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

The Musa Dakri Museum is a cultural institution situated at Aligarh Muslim University, commonly known as AMU, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Museum was established in honor of the late Professor Musa Dakri, a renowned archaeologist and historian who was also known for his dedication to the study and preservation of Indian art, history, and culture.
Musa Dakri Museum is known for its fine sculptural collection, which contains important materials, many of which are obtained from archaeological excavation and exploration. The Museum typically aspires to stand out with its exhibits’ scientific, aesthetic, and visual quality and proper presentation.

Attraction

The museum houses many artifacts showcasing India’s rich history and cultural heritage. The collection includes various sculptures, paintings, utensils, coins, manuscripts, textiles, notes, and other historical objects from Indian history. The museum has an exquisite focus on the Mughal period, as many artifacts were gathered from Mughal-era monuments and sites.
Some of the ‘notable artifacts’ in the collection include a rare ‘Quran manuscript’ from the 15th century (a collection of Mughal miniatures) and a range of pottery, literature, and metalwork from different periods of Indian history. The museum has a rich library with an extensive collection of books and journals on Indian art, history, and culture.

History

The Nizam Museum was the first museum on the university’s (AMU) premises. The Sir Syed Archaeology Museum was established in the 1950s. However, in 2014, the Musa Dakri Museum was established by merging these collections.
Professor R.C. Gaur organized archaeological excavations at Atranjikhera (Etah dist.) from B.C. 2000 – A.D.1600, a significant site along with others. The findings were then added to the collection. An Archaeological Museum was established to house the collection of sculptures and archaeological finds that belonged to Sir Syed. The collection was shifted to the Kennedy Hall Complex, where it merged with exhibits collected by the Museology Department and was given the nomenclature’ Musa Dakri Museum, A.M.U.’ after the name of a magnificent donor.
It was named after Musa Dakri, who donated US$500,000 to the university. However, some artifacts went missing in 2014 when they were to be shifted. Despite that, the Musa Dakri Museum still contains hundreds of archeological symbols referring to India’s glory.

Inside/Outside Views

From the time of ‘Mohammaden Anglo-Oriental College’ (1871-1921), there was an aspiration for this institution to possess a museum of antiquities. And a large building called ‘Nizam Museum’ was erected (now in S.S. Hall, North) for the same purpose. However, only a thirteenth-century (13th) inscription was installed there. Dr. Zakir Husain (in the early 1950s) collected several ancient sculptures that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had collected, and there were some additional finds from within the campus by Professor R.C. Gaur. They placed all of them in the ‘Picture Gallery’ near the Department of Geology.
There are two galleries out there. One is Sir Syed Gallery, inscribed from the ‘reign of Balban.’ The other is R. C. Gaur Gallery, which contains artifacts excavated from ‘Atranji Kheda.’ Every place in this museum speaks of the bygone era. For history lovers, this place is indeed heaven.

How to Reach

By air: The Nearest Airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, which is about 150 km away from Aligarh. However, there is a domestic airport in Aligarh, which is only 11 km away from the University campus.
By train: The city of Aligarh is home to the 467.6-hectare Aligarh Muslim University campus. The nearest railway station is the Aligarh Junction. From the Station, you can take local transport.
By road: Aligarh Muslim University is situated in the middle of Doab (the land between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers), 130 km Southeast of Delhi on the Delhi-Howrah / Delhi-Guwahati rail route and the Grand Trunk Road. The cheapest way to get from Delhi to Aligarh Muslim University usually costs only ₹791, and the quickest way takes just 1 3⁄4 hours. Other cities are connected to Aligarh. From Aligarh City to Aligarh Muslim University, many local transport options are available.

Tips for Travellers

Visitors are permitted to draw figures of the displayed objects.
Talking or shouting or even listening to music and using mobile phones are not allowed in the Museum.
The guide plan of the Museum can be collected from the Reception Desk at the Entrance.
Carry a photo ID card with you.

FAQ