Archaeological Site Museum, Purana Qila
| Place | Delhi |
|---|---|
| State | Delhi |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 2005 |
| Museum Type | Archaeological, Site Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi 110001 |
| Visiting Time | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Fridays) |
| Entry Fee | ₹5 (Adults) Children below 15 years: Free. (Note: This is in addition to the Purana Qila fort entry |
Museum Introduction
Located inside the 16th-century Purana Qila (Old Fort), this museum showcases the continuous cultural history of Delhi. The exhibits are largely based on artifacts unearthed during various excavation rounds conducted by the ASI (1955 and 1969–1973). It highlights the site's habitational history from the 4th century BC to the Mughal era.
General Collections
The collection includes Painted Grey Ware (PGW), Northern Black Polished Ware, terracotta figurines, ancient coins, seals, and beads. It also features pottery and objects from the Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, Rajput, Sultanate, and Mughal periods.
Unique Historical Collections
The museum houses a significant "Gallery of Confiscated and Retrieved Antiquities" (inaugurated in 2019), showcasing rare idols and artifacts recovered from smuggling and international repatriations.
Additional Information
| Video URL | https://www.facebook.com/reel/1265713830256563 |
|---|---|
| Video Courtesy | ASI GOI |
| Archaeological Survey of India | Yes |
| Notes | The museum is situated to the right of the main entrance (Bara Darwaza). The site is traditionally associated with Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. |
| Artifacts | Painted Grey Ware (PGW), Sunga terracotta plaques, Kushana coins, Gupta period Gaja-Lakshmi plaque, Rajput Vaikuntha Vishnu head, and Mughal era Chinese porcelain. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | 011-24355387 |
| Email ID | museum-del.asi@gov.in (ASI Delhi Circle reference) |