Cultural heritage preserved in museums

Maha Singh Poonia

Haryana has a rich cultural heritage. The ancient Indian civilisation flourished within the present geographical boundaries of Haryana. The Vedas were written by ancient sages on the banks of the Saraswati river that once flowed through Kurukshetra. Rishi Ved Vyas wrote the epic of Mahabharta here. Lord Krishna delivered the immortal message of Bhagawad Gita to the humanity at large at the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Now, this cultural heritage is preserved in museums.

After the formation of Haryana, Acharaya Omanand went from village to village and collected archaeological cultural artefacts and constructed a museum at Gurukul, Jhajjar. The treasure of Haryana’s archaeological heritage is preserved here. If it is displayed internationally, Haryana will get greater recognition. Liladhar Dulki established a museum at Sirsa where the archaeological remains of excavations surrounding Sirsa have been gathered at one place. Many of these relate to our ancient Saraswati heritage. In 2002, the War Memorial Museum was set up at Panipat, in which related documents and weapons of all three battles have been preserved. 

To protect the museum culture in Haryana, Kurukshetra has been named the city of museums. Sri Krishna Museum was established at Kurukshetra in 1991 with efforts to collect a number of archaeological heritages related to the life of Lord Krishna whose sculptures had been scattered all over India. Now, a digital gallery of the 18-day Mahabharata battle has been established here. Besides, the Panorama Science Museum was established in 2001. The Mahabharata and the ancient science of India are depicted in the museum through pictures and experiments. In 2002, a spiritual and cultural museum was established at Sheikh Chilli’s tomb at Thanesar. This museum depicts the archaeological themes of Haryana. Excursions for excavations on the Harshavardhana mound are displayed here. In 2005, the Gulzarilal Nanda Museum was established, in which all achievements of his life are depicted. There is also a library to facilitate research work. Nowadays, this museum is working under the auspices of Kurukshetra University. Besides, a museum was established about excavation in different areas of Haryana under the auspices of the ancient history department of Kurukshetra University. This museum is partially alive today. In 2006, the Dharohar Haryana Museum was established on the Kurukshetra University campus. This museum is unique in itself and its thrust area is folk culture and heritage of Haryana. Till date more than 22 lakh tourists have visited the museum. Besides, an international-level museum is being set up on the university campus dedicated to the first freedom movement of 1857. 

The last decade was fruitful for establishing museum culture in Haryana. Bhagat Phul Singh University, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, has also collected material about Haryana’s culture, but it has not yet been converted into a museum. Besides, Ch. Devi Lal Vidyapeeth in Sirsa also set up a museum depicting the entire life of the legendry leader. Ch. Ranbir Singh Memorial Museum has also been set up in Rohtak. The subjects related to the Sikh culture have also been shown in the museum at Kapal Mochan in Yamunanagar. Besides, the Saraswati Museum has been established at Adi Badri at Yamunanagar and Vidya Bharati, Kurukshetra, in which topics related to the Saraswati river and the holy river excavation material are displayed. 

Unfortunately, Haryana is the only state where there is no state museum. There are many dedicated people in the state who are associated with the museum culture and have compiled different subjects in their various fields at the individual level. It is necessary to take concrete steps in this field at the state level to improve the Haveli culture and promote and preserve its traditional heritage forever.

(The writer is Curator, Dharohar Museum, Kurukshetra University) 

Other important museums 

• At the Bhima Devi temple at Pinjore, Panchkula. 
• At Jayanti Devi Mandir in Jind  
• A gallery of freedom fighters at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
• A gallery of Rajkishan Nain's photos at Maharishi Dayanand University
• The belongings of Ch. Chottu Ram brought from Lahore displayed at a museum at his native place Sampla. 
• Farming artefacts collected by Haryana Agricultural University
• Haryana Police Museum in the Madhuban police training complex
• Heritage Transport Museum at Manesar in Gurugram