Barton Museum
| Place | Bhavnagar |
|---|---|
| State | Gujarat |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1882 |
| Museum Type | Cultural & Archaeological |
| National Importance Museum | No |
| Address | Gandhi Museum, Nawa Para, Bhavnagar, Gujarat 364001 |
| Visiting Time | 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 02:00 PM to 06:00 PM (Closed on Sundays, 2nd & 4th Saturdays, and Public Holidays) |
| Entry Fee | ₹5 (Includes access to the Gandhi Smriti complex) |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1882 during the reign of Maharaja Takhtsinhji, the museum was named after Colonel Barton, the British Political Agent. It is currently located on the ground floor of the Gandhi Smriti complex (inaugurated in 1955) in the heart of Bhavnagar. The museum preserves a wide range of artifacts that provide deep insight into the local history and folklore of Saurashtra.
General Collections
The collection includes archaeological remains found in and around Bhavnagar, featuring stone inscriptions, ancient coins, and wood carvings. It also houses religious sculptures, traditional textiles, and a specialized section for agricultural tools and weapons used in the region.
Unique Historical Collections
Saurashtra Cultural Artifacts: The museum is particularly known for its distinctive collection of nut-cutters (Sudi), which are intricate examples of local metalcraft. It also uniquely features fossils and ancient stone carvings discovered in the nearby hills.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is part of a larger memorial complex that includes a library used by Mahatma Gandhi during his student days at Samaldas College. It is often visited alongside the Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar located within the same premises. |
| Artifacts | Stone inscriptions; Nut-cutters (Sudi); 18th-century weapons; Traditional musical instruments; Ancient coins; Religious stone sculptures; Fossils; Hand-carved wooden panels. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 278-2428438 |