Museums In India

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum

Gujarat State can be proud of many features that provide good opportunity for a tourist to enjoy oneself with large number of arts and culture material, of which Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is very significant. This museum is located at Vadodara , known as  Baroda till very recently and it exhibits 19th and 20th century collections which were made to educate the children of Maharaja Sir SayajiraoGaekwad III.  As a matter of fact, the venue of this museum was the school for Maharajah’s children, to which Maharajah himself collected such a number of art treasures during his tours abroad, that are today the exhibits amazing every visitor.

The museum has with it collection of large number of paintings rendered by both Indian and European artists, which include the famous Raja Ravi Varma’s works. In fact, the then Maharajah of Baroda specially invited Raja Ravi Varma  to Baroda to honor him.  The genre of paintings is mostly on Hindu Mythology, although there are quite a number of portraits of Royal family members.

History

Maharajah SayajiRaoGaekward III, who was having his place of living at Vadodara , was a multi-dimensional personality,  a sportsman,  society involved and a good  person loving family members. He was a visionary too. As a sportsman he was a game hunter, enlightened cricket player and one who patronised Indian and European race courses. As a society developer, his contributions by laying roads, establishing railway lines, educational institutions, hospitals and imposing compulsory education were all adorable.

He was also a person loving arts and culture. He constructed an exclusive building to educate his children by providing them all the material that would enhance their spirit towards arts. This building has become today the Maharajah Fateh Singh Museum  holding large number of collection of art material and paintings at Vadodara..
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum which is  located in the palace grounds in Vadodara  has for exhibition variety of objects d’art , most of them being royal memorabilia. Amazing portraits of erstwhile rulers,  many European masters’ original paintings such as that of  Raphael, Titan and Murillo. There are also copies of famous works available in the museum. There are collections of Chinese and Japanese art material and special type of ivory carved  furniture with  jewels studded in them available here, which are exclusive for royal lifestyle.

Collections

The museum is rich with wonderful collections which include

• Paintings of famous artists such as Murillo, Titian and Raphel
• Artefacts belonging to Greece/Rome, Japan and China.
• Sculptures in marble and Bronze icons

Apart from the Collections, the Maharajah had invited famous artists of the world to create originals to be displayed in the museum. Italian artist Fellicci had visited Vadodara for this purpose and has done a number of pieces for this museum and also a few at the Lakshmi Vilas Palace. Respectable Rajah Ravi Varma was also a visitor.

Exhibitions

Most of the collections made by the Maharajah during his tours to China, Japan, Italy and other countries are exhibited in the Museum, which will excite every visitor.

How to Reach

To reach Vadodara by air, there are Daily direct flights from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai with connections to Vadodara airport.

By rail, Vadodara has a Rail station has direct links with Mumbai and Ahmedabad route and there are a number of fast moving trains running in this route.

National Highway No.8 connecting Ahmedabad and Vadodara, the New Expressway giving scope for speedy and safe road travel, there are a number of public transport facilities to reach Vadodara.

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