Albert Hall Museum Jaipur, A magnificent building built in Indo-Saracenic architectural style, Albert Hall Museum (Central Museum) is located in Ram Nivas Garden. It draws its name from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Its corridors are decorated with murals reflecting various civilisations. Currently, the museum houses a diverse range of wood crafts, stone and metal sculptures, metal objects, carpets, natural stones, arms and weapons and goods made out of ivory. The museum also displays art from the Kota, Bundi, Udaipur, Kishangarh and Jaipur schools of art. The building’s foundation stone was laid during the visit of Prince of Wales, Albert Edward to Jaipur in 1876 and it was completed in 1887 by architect Samuel Swinton Jacob, the then director of Jaipur PWD.
History of Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur
The foundation of Albert Hall Museum Jaipur was placed during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward to Jaipur in the year 1876. So, it was not sure how the building would be used. Due to the suggestion of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II in 1880, a temporary museum was established in 1881 to display the products of local artisans. The construction of Albert Hall was completed in 1887 by the architect, Samuel Swinton Jacob, Director of Jaipur PWD. The temporary museum, whose artefacts were gathered from several parts of India and its neighbours moved in the new museum.
The building became an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The corridors were adorned with decorations in a variety of styles. European, Egyptian, Chinese, Greek and Babylonian civilizations were characterised to enable the visitors to develop their knowledge of art and history. So, Albert Hall became a centre for giving knowledge of the history of civilizations. It also enabled inspiring artisans to enhance their skills and preserving & developing traditional Indian arts, crafts and architectural forms.
Albert Hall Jaipur Architecture
Built in the combined Indian Islamic architecture with neo-gothic which was popular in the Victorian era. The Albert Hall Museum Jaipur is the finest example Indo-Saracenic style of architecture in Rajasthan, designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob.
Albert Hall Museum has handicrafts not only from India but from all over the world. The prestigious museum has a good arsenal collection of various types of blades, sabres, swords, spears, bows and arrows, shields, etc. used by kings or soldiers.
Also, the statues of Egyptian gods and deities are well kept inside the museum. The works of people from clay models to clothes and manuscripts and paintings are really fascinating. It has many other things too.
Without having to cope with the jostling crowd, we spent a satisfying two hours at the museum. In the evening, when it is illuminated with light it looks fascinating from outside.
Albert Hall Museum Timings
The museum is open for the tourists from 9 in the morning and it remains open until 5 in the evening. On Holi, the museum remains closed as it is the local holiday of Jaipur. The last Tuesday of each month from October to March, the museum remains closed on an account of maintenance. Also, the last Monday of each month from April to September, the Museum remains closed for maintenance.
On great occasions and days of the year such as on World Museum Day, Rajasthan Day, World Heritage Day and World Tourism Day, the entry to the museum is free. Whereas, entry for students is free in the museum from 10 AM to 12 PM.
Best Time to Visit in Albert Hall Museum ?
The museum is open from 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening and from 7 in the evening to 10 in the night. The museum is closed on every Tuesday from October to March for maintenance. From April to September, every Monday is closed for maintenance. During Holi festival, the museum is closed.
How to reach Albert Hall Museum
Once inside Jaipur, you can find numerous transportations to reach Albert Hall Museum Jaipur. You can find public transportations too. The museum is close to Merta Road Junction Railway Station. You can reach the station via local train and walk or hire a cab from the station to the museum. You can also find buses from various parts of the city to the museum.