Top 7 History Museums in Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal

October 17, 2021 Russell Mellin

This former British colonial stronghold boasts evidence of over two millennia of habitation, with ornate, architecturally diverse buildings, ranging from crumbing ruins to Victorian treasures. Home to lively festivals and a vibrant artistic community, clamorous markets and packed temples, this city is crowded and polluted, but ultimately invigorating.
Restaurants in Kolkata (Calcutta)

1. Rabindra Bharati University Museum

6 / 4 Dwaraka Nath Tagore Lane, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700007 India 239 5241 42 6601 [email protected]
Excellent
56%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Rabindra Bharati University Museum

Reviewed By adityainc

The museum is one of the finest in the city which offers great collection of literary stuff which must be experienced.

2. Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House and Cultural Centre

105 Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House and Cultural Centre Vivekananda Road Manicktala, Azad Hind Bag, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700006 India +91 33 2257 0213
Excellent
66%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 87 reviews

Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House and Cultural Centre

Reviewed By traveliswhereyougeto - Mumbai, India

The house of Swami Vivekananda creates peace and awe in equal measure. Restored from a practically dilapidated structure this has been immaculately restored to what it may have been when Swamiji lived here. During the restoration process, the original map of the house was obtained from the archives of the Calcutta High Court. It was bulit in mid 1800 and stands strong till today! Visitors can see the room where he was born, the prayer room with shiva linga where his mother used to pray for a child, the room where she read out the Ramayana to him (the original document has been preserved in a glass case for over 150 years), the thakur dalan (where family pujas were held) which was the most difficult structure during the entire restoration process. One cannot miss the beatifully restored red floors so typical of bengali homes in yesteryears. Swamiji's pictures in San Francisco and Chicago have also been displayed. There are audio visuals as well for the interested visitor. Overall, a very fulfilling experience in the house of a thinker, a reformer and a preacher, whose influence extended to the global stage.

3. Kolkata Tram Museum Smaranika

Esplanade CTC Compound, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700001 India +91 1234 567 890 https://www.facebook.com/KolkataTramSmaranika
Excellent
59%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Kolkata Tram Museum Smaranika

Reviewed By Avishek_Banerjee - Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Kolkata has a long association with tramways. It is the oldest operating electric tramways in Asia. It is evodent that such a city will preserve its heritage in a museum. Smaranika is a humble approac to do so. Inaugurated in 2014, Smaranika, the tram museum in Kolkata is the brainchild of CTC to preserve the fading history and heritage of tram in Kolkata. The small museum and café is located deep inside Esplanade CTC Depot, very close to the shopping district but away from the chaos of moving traffic. Interestingly the museum has no separate building, but has been thoughtfully housed in an actual retired rolling stock. The particular tram was built in 1938 and belonged to the Bombay Fleet of trams. It has been refurbished at the Nonapukur Workshop in Kolkata, retaining the wooden vintage look of the car. Of the two bogies of the car, the first one is a small café while the second bogie houses the museum and the exhibits.

4. Kolkata Police Museum

113 Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Road, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700016 India http://www.kolkatapolice.gov.in/Museum.aspx
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Kolkata Police Museum

Reviewed By Traveltolexcel - New Delhi, India

When you visit this museum, you can easily corelate with the present working of Police in Indian States. The challenges are still the same. Functioning of the entire system can easily be understood.. A must visit place for every citizen. Amolak Rattan Kohli

5. The RBI Museum

8, Council House Street BBD Bagh, Near HSBC Bank,, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700001 India +91 33 2262 8752 [email protected] https://therbimuseum.rbi.org.in/
Excellent
44%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

The RBI Museum

Reviewed By IndrajitB_12 - Chennai (Madras), India

Excellent place to understand the history of indian currencies as well as evolution of currency and a little bit of economics. A good learning place for students of Standard V onwards. Got the guided tour free of cost as there was no group booking during our visit time. Excellent cooperative staffs. Although there is a cafeteria but it is not operational due to non feasibility as very few tourists visit on daily basis. No entrance fee. No car / two wheeler parking space.

6. Indian Museum (Jadu Ghar)

27 Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700016 India +91 33 2249 9902 [email protected] http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/
Excellent
41%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 977 reviews

Indian Museum (Jadu Ghar)

Reviewed By Ritobhash - Kharagpur, India

The front is beautiful with brushes of British architecture and lawns.The sections contain artifacts from Egypt and other prehistoric items. The quantity of collection is vast and it would take a day or two with a considerable amount of walking to explore every information.It contains areas devoted to spices,trees,fossils,animals etc. It was a great experience overall.

7. State Archaeological Museum

Diamond Harbour Road Behala, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700034 India +91 33 2397 8191 http://www.sulekha.com/state-archaeological-museum-behala-kolkata-contact-address
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 5 reviews

State Archaeological Museum

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