In a significant decision, the Indian government has given the green light to create the inaugural City Museum in Bhopal. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is establishing the Bhopal City Museum at the left wing of Moti Mahal. This unique project aims to create a Tourist Interpretation Centre / Citizen Engagement Centre for enthusiasts of heritage and culture.
The first City Museum of the state will be constructed in the left wing of Moti Mahal in Bhopal. Simultaneously, the right-wing will accommodate the Mahapratapi Raja Bhoj Sangrahalaya. A new cultural experience can be gained at the Tribal Museum with the addition of 7 houses representing the 7 major tribes of the state.
Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture, Managing Director, MP Tourism Board, mentioned that Moti Mahal holds significant heritage value in the city. The planned museum, featuring 11 galleries, will highlight the rich history of Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh, encompassing the historical and geographical context of Madhya Pradesh, the Bhopal district, and the specific formation of the city of Bhopal.
This museum, which is eagerly awaited, will display the diverse history and culture of the region. Visitors will be amazed by a variety of artifacts including prehistoric rock paintings, stone tools, archaeological discoveries, royal attire from Bhopal and nearby regions, ancient sculptures, temple remnants, and beautiful art from the Bhopal Nawab era.
Advanced technology will be used to provide an interactive and educational experience suitable for all age ranges. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh, intends to set up a specialised and extensive museum dedicated to the Great Parmar King Raja Bhoj, focusing on his life and achievements, at the right wing of Moti Mahal in Bhopal.
There are seven houses representing the seven major tribes of the state at the Tribal Museum.
“Many will be familiar with the house and grounds through seeing it on screen, including in ‘Brideshead Revisited’ and ‘Bridgerton’, and we hope that these artworks by Tony Cragg will make visitors look at the landscape anew. With 10 sculptures in the grounds and a further 18 indoors, as well as works on paper, visitors can see how these artworks interplay with the landscape and the architecture of the House,” they said.
Another impressive initiative is the construction of seven houses representing the seven major tribes of the state – Gond, Bhil, Baiga, Korku, Bharia, Sahariya, and Kol, at the Tribal Museum in Bhopal. These houses provide an opportunity to closely observe and understand the lifestyle of the tribal community. Tribal families will reside in these houses for a period ranging from three to six months. Subsequently, other families will take turns to live in these houses on a rotational basis. The aim of this initiative is to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding the tribal society.Shukla mentioned that visitors will have the chance to meet and engage with these tribes in a house built by the tribes themselves. Enthusiasts of culture and heritage will have a memorable experience upon viewing the houses of 7 different tribes of MP. The houses feature walls made by plastering mud on bamboo sacks, the idol of Bada Dev placed outside, a mill of mud and stone inside, storage sheds, cots, daily use items, and a kitchen. Starting from 6th June 2024, visitors have the opportunity to experience these aspects of tribal community and culture.
Madhya Pradesh plans to create different theme-based museums at appropriate heritage and cultural sites to improve the tourism experience.
