angrĀhikĀ s - archaeological survey of india
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SANGRĀHIKĀ
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
e-newsletter on the museums of ASI
Editorial Team Dr Urmila Sant, Joint Director-General (Museums), Archaeological Survey of India Dr K. Lourdusamy, Director (Museums), Archaeological Survey of India Sh. Indu Prakash, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India Dr Aprajita Sharma, Assistant Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India Data Supplied by Archaeological Site Museum, Khajuraho and Bhopal Circle, Archaeological Survey of India Archaeological Site Museums, Archaeological Survey of India Hindi Translation
Hindi Section, Archaeological Survey of India
Mail us at [email protected]
Mail us at [email protected]
image on cover: Buddha (source: Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda) image on back cover: Avalokiteshvara (source: Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda)
Contents
All contents in the publication are for information only. Feel free to refer and distribute this work with due acknowledgement but no part of this publication can be reproduced for any purpose in any form.
2 Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
From the Editor’s Desk
3
Museums of Archaeological Survey of India Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda
4-10
Education and Awareness Training and Workshop Exhibition
11-14
Prized Antiquity
15
from the Editor’s desk…
Dear friends,
Namaskar!
Our e-newsletter Sangrahika has completed two successful years for which
the credit goes to Archaeological Survey of India and all heritage lovers equally.
This issue is dedicated to Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda which is
now celebrating hundred years of it existence. Established in 1917, it was the fifth
archaeological site museum of ASI which houses the antiquities unearthed during
different seasons of excavation of this celebrated institute of ancient education of
learning. Its repository is represented by stone, metal, terracotta and stucco
objects of Gupta and Pala period. An exquisite elegant sculpture of Pala period
made in typical polished black stone is a distinguished class, sometimes referred as
belonging to the Nalanda School of Art.
Through this e-newsletter we intend to apprise the reader about significant
activities in this prestigious archaeological site museum of Nalanda. Besides this,
the current issue also include activities, trainings, etc. happened during the first
quarter of the year.
I am sure like previous issues, this edition will also gain popularity and create
interest in Archaeological Site Museums.
Urmila Sant
Joint Director-General (Museums) Archaeological Survey of India
3 Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Archaeological site museum, Nalanda, established in the year 1917, is one of
the most prestigious site museums of Archaeological Survey of India. The
museum will celebrate its centenary this year. This museum has four (04) galleries
that houses antiquities found from the excavated site of Nalanda Mahavihara,
supposedly the earliest university-cum-monastery complex, which flourished
during 5th-12th centuries of Christian era under the patronage of Gupta, Maukhari
and Pala rulers, respectively. Later on, a few objects collected from the
neighboring villages of Nalanda and Rajgir were added to the treasure of this
museum.
Display includes stone images and sculptures, bronzes, stuccos, terracotta,
inscriptions, iron objects, ivory and bone objects, potteries, etc. Most of the images
belong to Buddhist faith but those belonging to Jaina or Brahmanical art are also
quite good in number.
Museums of Archaeological Survey of India
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Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda
fig. 1 ~ Nalanda: View of Archaeological Site Museum
Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Introduction
Main hall
The main hall of the museum exhibits fourteen stone images and sculptures
mounted over the wooden pedestals and also two huge storage jars (figure 2 as
on p. 5). The central space has been occupied by a scale model of the excavated
site of Nalanda which is quite useful for understanding the plan and shape of the
monastery.
fig. 2 ~ Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda: Main hall
Museums of Archaeological Survey of India
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Gallery No. 1
Stone images and sculptures of Buddhist, Hindu and Jaina faiths have been
exhibited in this gallery. Heavy images are mounted over wooden pedestals
including two Jaina images of Rishabhanath and Parsvanath, three Hindu images
of Siva-Parvati, Vishnu and a bi-facial image of Kuber and Siva-Parvati and
remaining four of Buddhist faith.
The small pieces have been displayed in four wall showcases. One showcase
is dedicated to Hindu deities whereas three to Buddhist icons.
fig. 3 ~ Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda: View of Gallery No. 1
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Miscellaneous objects of antiquarian significance found during excavations
are displayed in this gallery through six showcases. Seals and sealing, ornaments
of terracotta and semi precious stones, decorative brick tiles, stuccos, iron
implements, objects of day-to-day use and ritual purposes, etc. are exhibited in
this gallery.
Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Gallery No. 2
Gallery No. 3
Excavations at Nalanda have
revealed a wide range of metal objects
particularly the bronzes which include
Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jaina
deities and objects of rituals and day-to
-day use. These have been cast by ‘lost
wax process’ with the help of moulds.
This gallery is meant exclusively
for bronzes displayed through wall
showcases.
fig. 7 ~ Archaeo-logical Site Museum,
Nalanda: Bronze Image of
Buddha, Gallery No. 3
fig. 4, 5, 6 ~ Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda: View of Gallery No. 3 (above);
Multi-spouted vessel (below left); Stucco head (below right)
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This gallery displays stone inscriptions and sculptures majority of which are
assignable to Pala period belonging to the Buddhist pantheon. Two panels
depicting ‘Kinnaras worshiping Kalpavriksha’ mounted on eastern and western
walls are beautiful example of Gupta period.
Few miniature pieces displayed in showcases are so intricate and minute in
carvings that they can easily be compared with that of bronzes.
Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Gallery No. 4
fig. 8-9 ~ Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda: View of Gallery No. 4 (above);
Stone Inscription of Vipulsrimitra (below)
Museums of Archaeological Survey of India
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fig. 10-11 ~ Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda: Shakyamuni Buddha (left);
Buddha (right)
Main Attractions
The main attractions in the museum are masterpieces of stone and two huge earthen storage jars; twelve armed Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara; Nagaraj with seven serpent hooded canopy; a colossal image of Buddha seated in dharmachakra mudra; a tantric deity Trilokya vijaya trampling Siva-Gauri; and Buddha seated in bhumisparsa mudra.
Collection
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Total number of antiquities : 13,463
Displayed objects : 348
Reserve collection : 13,115
Antiquities are broadly categorised as
Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Stone images/ sculptures and inscriptions;
Bronzes;
Stuccos;
Terracotta/ potteries;
Inscriptions;
iron objects;
Ivory and bone objects, etc.
fig. 12-13 ~ Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda: Nagraja (left); Boddhisatva Aviloketeshvara(right)
Visitor Amenities
10
Basic facilities like drinking water, toilets, wheel chair,
Signage boards for museum building
Direction board for visitors
Label for name and description of small display antiquities
Signages for detailed description of important antiquities
Information kiosk with touch screen
LED display for showing ASI documentaries
Visitor benches
Display Emergency contact list for any emergency
Museum Publications
Information
Visiting hours: 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM
(Museum remains closed on Friday)
Entry Fee - for museum
`5 - Both for Indians and Non-Indians
Free entry for Children below 15
Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Education and Awareness
A curatorial workshop for museum curators was conducted by Centre for
Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT) in collaboration with National Museum
Institute, New Delhi from January 18-24, 2017. Basic module of this training was
to cover principles of Preventive Conservation; display; exhibition; design and
digitizing museums/ documentation; outreach and related events; art handling
and installation.
The said training was attended by 11 officials working at different
museums of ASI.
Activities and Special Events
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Training and Workshop
Centre for Cultural Resource and Training: Training of the officials of ASI during curatorial workshop
Officials from the Museum Section participated in the 7th ASEMUS
general conference titled “Engaged Museums: Technology, Access and New
Audiences” held at the National Museum, Delhi on 15th-16th March, 2017. The
said conference was organised by Asia-Europe Museum Network (ASEMUS) in
collaboration with the National Museum, Delhi.
During the conference, two workshops - ‘Developing Curatorial Concept’
and ‘Social Media for Museum Professionals’ were also attended by the officials.
Activities and Special Events
13 Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Training and Workshop
National Museum, Delhi: Participants during the workshop - developing curatorial concept
Activities and Special Events
14 Year 3, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2017
Exhibition
The photo-exhibition titled Kēśavinyās opened at Archaeological Site
Museum, Sarnath on 29th January, 2017. The exhibition will remain on show till
30th April, 2017. Prior to this, the said exhibition was displayed at St. Fort George
Museum, Chennai from April to June, 2016. Initially, it was inaugurated at
Quarters Guard, Red Fort, Delhi, in November 2015.
Due to huge popularity and requests from masses, it was moved to Sarnath.
This exhibition presented a kaleidoscope of hair-styles in Indian Art through
photographs and line-drawings.
Archaeological Site Museum, Sarnath: Inauguration of the Exhibition Kēśavinyās
Prized Antiquity
Avalokiteshvara
Accession number: 10513
Period: 9th-10th century CE, Pala
Location: Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda
Description: Seated in the lalitasana, attitude on the pericarp of a fully
blossomed double petalled lotus with his right foot perched on the second
lotus. He is richly adorned with beaded anklets, two girdles, armlets, a
beaded upavita, a beaded hara, a necklace, ear ornaments and short beaded
crown. At the base of his jata-mukuta is the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha. The
image is identified as Khasarpana form of Avalokiteshvara.
© Archaeological Survey of India, 2017