Albert Hall Museum of Jaipur stuffed with Stunning Collections
I spent good two hours, at the Albert Hall Museum Jaipur. It was an excellent exposure to the kids, good learning experience. We reached there quite early after stuffing ourselves with heavy breakfast. The museum hadn’t got crowded yet, by the time we were leaving the premises it was crowded and well populated with tourists.
It was good decision to visit Albert Hall with family and children early in the day.
Impressive Architecture of Albert Hall Museum Jaipur
Albert Hall architectural details
Albert Hall Museum History
The foundation stone for the museum was laid during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward to Jaipur in 1876.
The building located in the Ram Nivas Garden in Jaipur was earlier a place of recreation for the royal families. Maharaja Ram Singh, the then king of Jaipur had noble intentions of using this building as the town hall for his famine struck subjects.
A small museum was created in 1881. The popularity of this led to Hendley, a resident surgeon, conducting a Jaipur Exhibition at Naya Mahal (old Vidhan Sabha). The intention was to inspire local craftsmen to improve their skills. Thereby protecting and preserving traditional art and reviving skills, and also to provide greater employment for artisans.
Albert Hall Jaipur was completed in 1887. All the displays of temporary museum and the exhibition of artifacts collected from several parts of India and its neighborhood were merged and shifted for a permanent display in the new museum.
Architecture of Albert Museum
Albert Hall museum was constructed by a British Army officer, Colonel Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in 1876, in the modern Indo-Saracenic style. He combined Islamic architecture with neo-gothic that was fashionable in Victorian era (from 20 June 1837 until Queen Victoria‘s death on 22 January 1901). This museum resembles the architecture of the Victoria and Albert Hall Museum in London.
Inside Albert Hall Museum
The exterior of this monument or mansion is very impressive. Once inside we were a little confused over the distribution of artifacts in various floors of the museum. We decided to target from ground floor upwards.
There are several interesting galleries with a good collection and neat display of garments, old coins, royal and native textiles, marble art, jewellery, pottery, sculptures, metal art, carpet, arms and armour.
Almost all kinds of artifacts and objects of value from past are on display here. The exquisite collection antiques, miniature paintings, woodwork, metal objects, old traditional ceremonial dresses of the royal families. There were pottery objects, sculptures, and other arts & crafts and more.
from Musical Instruments Gallery
Albert Hall Museum Jaipur is a true treasure house of culture and traditions and unknown hidden facts about the Rajasthani people. There are lot of handicraft items made by local artisans from medieval and ancient times of India. Truly a great place to gain knowledge of art and history.
A 2300 years old Egyptian Mummy too is exhibited there. This excited the kids very much and me too (don’t have to travel all the way to Egypt.)
Another interesting object that caught the fancy of children in Albert Hall Museum was a Horse Puzzle – an object made with human figures.
Check – Horse Puzzle in Albert Hall
Rudyard Kipling on Albert Hall Jaipur
So true, the fact that, “Museums are the best place to visit to know about the culture, traditions and customs of a place.” Don’t miss this place if you are ever there.
Rudyard Kipling (himself the son of a curator) on a visit was very impressed by the architecture, woodwork, display, exhibits, and cleanliness and not least the curators office.
He wrote “it is now a rebuke to all other museums in India
from Calcutta downwards”.
Location of Albert Museum Jaipur
The Albert Hall is centrally located at the heart of city “Ram Nivas Garden” Jaipur.
Timings and Holidays
Timings: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm & 7.00 to 10.00 pm (Daily)
Holidays: Maintenance days: Tuesdays from October to March and Mondays during April to September
Tickets to Tour
While general visit tickets didn’t cost much the camera charges were exorbitant like in the Meherengarh Fort of Jodhpur. And as if bent on settling of scores, rather the cost I clicked almost every article on display there.
For Indian visitor and students are Rs.40 and Rs.20. Separate charges for camera and audio guides. Free entry on Rajasthan Day – 30 March, World Heritage Day – 18 April, World Museum Day – 18 May, World Tourism Day – 27 September.
Combined ticket for different sites: One combo ticket can give you access to Amber Fort, Albert Hall, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Vidyadhar Garden, Sisodia Rani Garden & Isarlat or Sargasooli. This ticket is valid for two consecutive days.
Tickets for Indian visitors cost INR 300 and for foreign tourists INR 1000.
These combo entry tickets are available only at the ticket counters of Amber Fort, Albert Hall, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar.
Light Show in the Evening
Unfortunately we couldn’t visit during the spectacular light show held there in the evenings. Timings for night show is: 7PM to 10PM. Tickets cos 100INR for all. Free for children below 7yrs.
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(Updated post. This was first written on May 4th, 2009.)
I loved the Albert Hall museum, well curated and amazing. Will be sharing my experience soon
Been to Jaipur so many times and still not visited this! Thanks so much for sharing Indrani 🙂 Love musuems for the sheer joy of traveling back in time!
What an impressive building. It sure looks like a great place to house artefacts from another era.
Having done my graduation from Jaipur, I have seen nearly all places of interest including this one too. Amazing article & pictures 🙂
Wonderful story behind the museum and surely a place to explore once.
Nice pictures. The museum is one of the oldest ones in Rajasthan
So true, the fact that, “Museums are the best place to visit to know about the culture, traditions and customs of a place.” Don’t miss this place if you are ever there.Very true indrani ji . Albert Hall is a major attraction when you are in jaipur to visit . Great pictures , and these pictures are taking me to my visit there in 1999 but have forgotten most of the things . Thnx for sharing
That’s a lot of interesting info about the Museum. Hope to visit soon!
When I visited Jaipur, I missed to visit this museum. Looks interesting. In some of the museums photography is prohibited. I guess the restriction is not in this museum. Thanks for sharing beautiful pictures of artifacts.
The place ,the work and the shots…all are amazing.
the images are very fascinating, very detailed really wonderful
Hi Indrani I have seen some beautiful pics being clicked by you, but believe me Albert Hall Museum is the most beautiful you might ever get to photograph if you were patient and generous with it.
Don’t mind, but i guess a pic with the pigeons in front of the building would have made evrybody’s day i guess 😛
but i guess the most beautiful part of it is only visible when they light it up at night or you need to get the images from a sufficient distance, infact from the next crossroads at distance…infact i would give you a tip….most beautiful pic is when you stand at albert hall and then click the nahargarh fort..which is in a straight line and makes for exquisite seeing 🙂
The yellow glazed piece is stunning.
Exquisite, you said it. Thanks to your photographs I have had a good ride round Rajasthan.
It seems worth visiting this museums. Nice coverage about the facts and things.
Beautiful. I missed this when in Jaipur. Due to lack of time had to be satisfied by taking one snap from outside.
Wonderful photographs.
I could easily spend an hour or two in museums.
Such treasures you find! I love the history behind every item in the museum.
Very nice! Looks like a great museum. I love going to museums!
Beautiful.
That yellow glazed object, is it a tea pot? I wonder how it is used!
Hi Indrani! Another hectic week and my tour of blogosphere suffers… 😉
Wow! It looks much cleaner without the pigeons… And I regret it was closed the day I saw it… Have to get back to visit… Wonderful post!
Blogtrotter just ended the tour of temples in Old Town Vilnius and waits for you there. Enjoy and have a great weekend!
I loved the details of your pictures. As I love museums, your post was like a visual tour, Thanks.
What a fantastic place! I was really impressed (looking at your photos) at the sheer variety of things on display, from around the world.
Interesting post and great pictures. I love museums that allow you to take photos!
Very interesting BLOG…..
Wow! Beautiful art pieces housed in a beautifully designed museum. Quite opulent really, then I read some more and learned that it was once a place for the royal family. Great idea to convert. Wonderful post as usual. 🙂
Fantastic place. I have been there last summer and it was amazing!
Quite impressive building ! very interesting.
I always try to take my pictures secretly, my camera in my sleeve, I became a real paparazzi, lol !
The teeny weeny guitars/violins with their bows were the best photo for me. They looked like small sculptures.
oh so lovely
I love this blog. Go Girl!!!
A very beautiful architecture + a rich museum full of fine pieces of both western and indian arts and cultures. I see Greek women statutes on the sixth photo, are these from the time of the Indo-Greek Kingdom or newer?
Thank you for this rich and very interesting post,
Best regards,
Hey Indrani, this is strange…
There’s some places (which you post about) I instantly feel like going to or being at! While there are some others, like this one…which don’t interest me much. What I really liked in this one, is your captures. The third, fifth and the seventh pictures are outstanding…
Interesting post.Nice shots.
Very informative and beautiful post! Thanks for showing this wonderful place!
This building is looking very magnificent, your country haves a very beautiful history, every piece off art looks so delicate, it must be a dream to visit your country, almost like a fairytale. Thank you for sharing. Jeany
You open a beautiful window to your’s country…Cogratulations and “Thank you!”
kisses,
irina
beautiful museum. wish i had lovely pics like these to post. i only post abt my life 🙁
You have so many wonderful exhibits to share with us. You continue to amaze us with your power of knowledge about everything you posted. Highly commendable work.
wow very historical and wonderful antiques
thanks for sharing
have a great day and happy blogging
Nice pics Indrani… Did you get a chance ot visit the villages that make this crafts as well?
very nice pics…are those violins in the last pic?
What I love about museums is that they freeze time in a certain era, and you get to come back and enjoy! Loved your pictures, Indrani!
loved the pictures, great clarity, truly India is rich in its history and artwork. You are doing a great work compiling it so well. Thanks a lovely post once again.
Thank you Indrani, for this post! It must be a very great and interesting place. Thanks also for your visit. Have a great day.
Bent on settling scores!? haha!
A first time read on Albert Museum and its exquisite collection for me. Thank you.
It looks like a palace. I like the details of the building…. and the displays.
Waaaaaaw
its great
architecture,
beautiful building :))
I like that yellow piece of art !!
Its like a teapot 🙂
Nice shots, its always
interesting in a museum !!!
Thanks for sharing your trip 😉
magnificent images all!
just out of curiosity how exorbitant were the camera charges if i may ask..
wonderful artwork. thank for shared
What a fascinating variety of exhibits.
I like the exhibit in the last pic! 😉
Wow your museum is so beautiful and big. Love the artefacts being displayed.
I really enjoy the trip. I felt like I was there. Thanks for this another great piece of blog from you. Well if in case that I had a chance to visit India (but your country is huge),I will definitely visit this art museum.
What a fabulous post, gorgeous photos and I love learning about the building itself! Marvelous as always, Indrani! Thanks for sharing your world! Have a great week!
Wonderful collection of ojects d’art! I can see where the time would jsut fly by while visiting.
You’ve given us a wonderful glimpse of your world.
Great photos, what a gorgeous museum.
Have a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Interesting place. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Elizabeth @ Now and Then
Absolutely fascinating and such beautiful architecture.
Museums are great. This was lovely.
Too many beautiful buildings in India, all replete with history. I’m sure I would have done the same thing with digicam you can click at your heart’s content.
The colonials weren’t the least bit shy, I see.
What a building. Very interesting. I am glad you got so many good shots!
what a lovely museum…i love the architectural style…beautiful.
so what do they charge to take photos? I have never heard of that before.
That’s a beautiful museum. I enjoyed the architecture of the building itself as well as the exhibits you photographed.
What a beautiful and detailed building. The building itself could be in a museum! 😉
Indrani: That is a wonderful place and has such great architecture.
Indrani, of course I’d like to visit the whole museum. The images you show in this post are really interesting. Very nice the collections and attractive the building too.
Have a good week ahead!
I think a culture of a place can be gauged by the kind of museum’s they host. And how they are maintained. All the artefacts in the photos are neat and beautiful. That shows how much the people out there care and treasure their art forms. In an increasingly time less society, these are timeless pieces! Thanks for sharing.
Destination Infinity