One of the top seven museums in the Saurashtra region, the Watson Museum is run by the Gujarat state government and features collections of priceless artefacts from the princely State of Rajkot, which the Jadeja Rajputs founded. It has priceless books, photographs, artefacts, and a reference library. A counter sells the museum’s publications.
The History
The Queen Victoria Memorial Institute buildings in Rajkot’s Jubilee Garden are home to the museum. In 1888, Colonel John Watson, a British political agent employed by the Kathiawar Agency from 1881 until 1889, was honoured with a museum named in his honour. The Watson Museum is the oldest museum in Saurashtra (region) and the second most significant museum in Gujarat, behind the Museum of Baroda. Colonel Watson used to gather data about Rajkot and had a passion for history and archaeology. Most of his collections and other artefacts. Following its completion in 1893, Governor Lord George Harris of the Bombay Presidency officially opened the museum to the public.
Copies of Mohenjo Daro artefacts, natural history, sculptures from the 13th century, temple statues, clothes and the architecture of the local tribal people’s homes are all on display at the Watson Museum. The Watson Museum also has a superb collection of coinage and traditional and prehistoric artefacts. While the museum’s archaeology exhibit is home to artefacts from the prehistoric era and the Harappan civilisation, the sculpture gallery is home to a priceless collection of sculptures that once belonged to Ghumali, the capital of Jethwa.
The Museum
Scriptures, inscriptions, manuscripts, paintings, coins, needlework and textile pieces, handicrafts, diverse wood carvings, musical instruments, etc. can all be found in the museum’s numerous sections. The museum currently displays a large collection of paintings, antiquities, and manuscripts that were donated by several royal families from various regions of India. It really is a convergence of the various Indian cultural threads in this sense. Additionally, it features textile and jewellery design pieces in the colonial style on display. The museum’s exhibit on the Indus Valley Civilization, which includes a number of artefacts gathered from excavations conducted in and around Saurashtra, is one of its most fascinating sections. Numerous statues, coins, carvings, and clothing from the Mohenjo Daro community are among these relics.
While the museum’s archaeology exhibit is home to artefacts from the prehistoric era and the Harappan civilisation, the sculpture gallery is home to a priceless collection of sculptures that once belonged to Ghumali, the capital of Jethwa.
The colonial history of Rajkot and the history of India are both portrayed in the Watson Museum. Paintings and manuscripts, textiles, inscriptions, sculptures, coinage, anthropology, folk art, musical instruments, woodwork, natural history, and rocks and minerals are the various areas that make up the museum. The majority of Colonel Watson’s collections and other artefacts are kept here since he loved archeology and history. Highlights of the museum include replicas of Mohenjodaro antiquities, carvings from the 13th century, temple statues, items from the Indus Valley Civilization acquired from the Saurashtra region, souvenirs of Colonial rulers, and antiques and library paintings provided by neighbouring monarchs.
A massive marble statue of Queen Victoria sitting on a throne from the 19th century is also housed at the museum. Handicrafts, pottery, and princely antiques abound, along with magnificent pictures and photographs of European dignitaries and Saurashtra’s royal princes. It also shows how jewellery and textiles have influenced the Bharwads, Ahirs, Darbars, and other local aboriginal tribes. One of the best museums in Gujarat, it features sales stations to promote the museum and permits photography and guided tours. In addition, the museum holds an annual Bhartiya Shilp Samrudhi festival during the second week of January, which lasts for a week.
References:
- Trawell.In, & Trawell.In. (n.d.). Watson Museum – History, timings & entry fee. Trawell.in. https://www.trawell.in/gujarat/rajkot/watson-museum
