How safe are India’s famed museums: A quick status check

The incident highlights the importance of taking utmost care of such treasure troves. Here’s a quick status check of the major museums in the country.

A massive fire destroyed the 40-year-old National Museum of Natural History, which housed several taxidermied animals and a life-size model of a dinosaur, leaving several nature lovers in shock.

A fire broke out early on April 26 morning at the National Museum of Natural History, next to the Ficci, KK Birla Auditorium at Mandi House in New Delhi. (Ashok Nigam/Hindustan Times)

Many experts say the mishap could mean losing a “vital” piece of history.

“It is indeed a tragic accident. Loss of collection is losing a vital piece of history. Natural history collections are invaluable pieces of scientific knowledge,” director of Bombay Natural History Society, Deepak Apte told PTI.

The incident highlights the importance of taking care of such treasure troves. Here’s a quick status check of the major museums in the country:

Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai

• Established: 1922
• Total Exhibits: Over 60,000
• Prized collection: Emperor Akbar’s armour, rare textiles and Italian paintings
• Estimated value: No estimates, but museum insured for Rs 68 crore
• Annual visitors: 10 lakh

• Fire safety: All electrical wirings tested every two months
• Security: 32 in-house and 35 private security guards; monthly security drill; safety checks every six months
• Past Mishap: Nothing major so far

Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad

• Established: 1951
• Total Exhibits: 46,000
• Prized collection: 19th century musical clock from England; life-size marble statue of Veiled Rebecca; double statue from single block of wood
• Estimated value: Priceless, say museum officials
• Annual visitors: 10 lakh

• Fire safety: Latest fire-fighting system, including smoke alarm systems; dedicated fire station on museum premises.
• Security: Two-tier security by 100-odd CISF personnel; CCTVs at all corners of museum
• Past Mishap: In 2006, museum auditorium gutted due to short-circuit. No damage to artefacts.

Government Museum, Chennai

• Established: 1851
• Total Exhibits: 45,000
• Prized collection: Rare south Indian bronzes and Amaravati sculptures
• Estimated value: Priceless
• Annual visitors: 3.6 lakh

• Fire safety: Periodic fire safety drills and annual training of staff in emergency procedures
• Security: Four-tier security system; 24X7 CCTV across the museum
• Past Mishap: Inundated during December 2015 floods, but no damage exhibits. No fire accidents so far

Patna Museum, Patna

• Established: 1929
• Total Exhibits: 50, 000; only 10, 000 on display
• Prized collection: Didarganj Yakshini; figures of Buddha and stuccos from Bamiyan and Swat Valley; Harrapan terracotta & seals; rare bronzes of Pala age; dagger of Mughal emperor Humayun
• Estimated value: Over Rs 100 crores
• Annual visitors: 2 lakh

• Fire safety: Fire-fighting systems in all galleries; Trained museum staff
• Security: Museum officials and guards
• Past Mishap: In 2014, fire in the painting gallery due to short circuit, but no damage to art work

Indian Museum, Kolkata

• Established: 1814 at the Asiatic Society building on Park Street; shifted to current location in 1878
• Total Exhibits: 8,000 (only 40% exhibited)
• Prized collection: Egyptian Mummy, miniature paintings by Mughal court painter Ustad Mansur
• Estimated value: No estimates
• Annual visitors: 11 lakh

• Fire safety: Fire extinguishers, but no fire alarms
• Security: Three-tier security--museum staff, Kolkata Police and pvt security
• Past Mishap: Theft of 5th-century half-bust of Buddha, 2,000-yr-old lion statute (Rampura Lion Capital) damaged