Nehru Museum of Science and Technology (2024) History & More!

The ‘Nehru Museum of Science and Technology’ is a museum in Kharagpur, West Bengal. The Museum was founded in 1990 at the ‘Hijli Detention Camp building (later the IIT-Kharagpur Heritage Building), which is now named ‘Hijli Saheed Bhavan.’ The building is gracefully bearing resemblance to the beautiful ‘Byzantine style’ of architecture, was used by the British rulers (of India) to detain the freedom fighters during the 1930s. So, here, the Nehru Museum showcases many exhibits from various institutes and organizations across India. The Museum has many technical models from the recent past. It is a rare experience to have a historical and science museum at a time. If you are an adult or child, you must find something for yourself in this Museum.

Attraction

The Museum has many amazing indoor exhibits, for example, technical models collected from various institutes/organisations across India and abroad. Besides, The park outside the Museum contains ’14 open-air demonstrations and outdoor exhibits. Among them, a hunter plane and a steam engine are spectacular.

The Museum also offers an archive room showcasing documents relating to the history of the institute, India’s independence, and the Midnapore district.
This place is really great to have a fundamental visualisation of intricate physics experiments (which includes: Newton’s laws, Bernoulli principle, waves, sounds, electricity prorogation, and mechanisms). If you are a school or College student, then the Museum is a must-visit place for you.
Besides, the videos of this are great too; having a real view of some of the mechanisms as well as the ‘nitty gritty’ technical intricacies that go into making it is an engineering Marvel really worth it.

History

The Hijli detention camp used to be the only one to witness the death of 2 detainees by police firing within the jail compound. The incident led to strong protests. To register their indignation, prominent national figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose, and many others joined. Soon after independence (1947), the building was used to house the first Indian Institute of Technology (formerly known as the Higher Technical Institute).
However, the Nehru Science Centre at IIT Kharagpur was established in 1962. It is a significant institution dedicated to scientific education and curiosity. Located within the IIT Kharagpur campus, this museum offers a stimulating and rigorous experience for visitors of all ages. Those who are interested in science and technology find it really amazing.

Inside/Outside Views

In this museum, you can discover a lot of scientific, historical, and military instruments on display. This museum beautifully portrays the role of freedom fighters in India’s struggle for emancipation from the British regime. You will be amazed to see the belongings of great people like Nehru, Gandhiji, and Netaji Subhash.
The open area, outside the building, has many ‘open-air demonstrations’. The military tools are on outdoor exhibits, including a ‘hunter fighter plane’ and a ‘steam locomotive engine.’
The Nehru Museum also has a separate archive room where documents relating to history of the organisation as well as the Midnapore district are displayed. Finally, being a science museum, you can mostly see those science experiments on display.

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3–6:30 PM

Tuesday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3–6:30 PM

Wednesday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3–6:30 PM

Thursday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3–6:30 PM

Friday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3–6:30 PM

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

How to Reach

By road: It is situated in Kharagpur’s ‘Indian Institute of Technology’ campus area. From the busy area of Kharagpur, the ‘Nehru Museum of Science and Technology’ is only 10 to 12 km away. Kharagpur is well connected with other major cities like Siliguri, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mumbai, etc. And from Kharagpur city, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport‘ (which is an international one), is almost 140 kilometers away from this area and is in Dum Dum, Kolkata. You can visit this place from outside of India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi, Mumbai, or Lucknow with direct flights to Kolkata. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station to the Nehru Museum of Science and Technology is only 5 km away at the Kharagpur Railway Station. This station is well connected with major areas of the country. From the station, you will get local transport so that you can reach the site.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Kharagpur for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Please stay away from total strangers.
It is located on the Hijli side, near Hijli Jail. Once u visit here, don’t forget to visit Hijli Jail. It is completely free.