10 Unique Museums In Kolkata Worth Visiting

OT Staff

Indian Museum

Founded in 1814, the Indian Museum houses rare fossils, Egyptian mummies and Mughal art, making it India’s oldest museum and a cornerstone of Kolkata’s cultural attractions.

Skeleton of a mammoth at the Indian Museum | Wikimedia Commons

Victoria Memorial Hall

Built in marble during British rule, Victoria Memorial blends colonial architecture with galleries on empire history, paintings and manuscripts, set within landscaped gardens in central Kolkata.

A view of Victoria Memorial Hall | Wikimedia Commons

Jorasanko Thakurbari (Tagore House)

The ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore preserves manuscripts, personal belongings and period rooms, offering insight into Bengal Renaissance thinkers and the poet’s formative years.

A view of Jorasanko Thakurbari | thebongserenade/instagram

Boat Museum, Kolkata

Often cited as India’s only dedicated boat museum, it documents Bengal’s river culture through traditional boat models, archival material and public talks highlighting livelihoods shaped by water.

Inside Boat Museum, Kolkata | Wikimedia Commons

Maulana Azad Museum

Dedicated to freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, this museum displays rare books, letters and photographs, highlighting his intellectual legacy and role in shaping modern India.

Inside Maulana Azad Museum | famousplacesinindia/instagram

Gurusaday Museum

Located in Joka, the Gurusaday Museum showcases Bengal’s folk art traditions, including patachitra, kantha embroidery and terracotta, collected by civil servant Gurusaday Dutt.

A view of Gurusaday Museum | Wikimedia Commons

Vadya Vithika (Musical Instruments Museum)

Vadya Vithika preserves traditional Indian musical instruments, tracing regional craftsmanship and performance styles, making it a quiet yet important stop for music and culture enthusiasts.

A peek into Vadya Vithika | Official website: museumsofindia

Kolkata Port Trust Maritime Archives and Heritage Museum

This museum documents Kolkata’s riverine trade history through maps, ship models and archival photographs, explaining the port’s role in shaping eastern India’s commercial identity.

Inside Kolkata Port Trust Maritime Archives

State Archaeological Museum

Located in Behala, this museum displays sculptures, coins and inscriptions from Bengal’s ancient past, offering a lesser-known but informative glimpse into regional archaeology.

A view of State Archaeological Museum | theanitapanda/instagram

Kolkata Postal Museum

This specialised museum traces India’s postal evolution through stamps, mail systems and colonial artefacts, appealing to philatelists and history lovers alike.

Kolkata GPO | Wikimedia Commons

A Whale Of A Time At India's Only Boat Museum

The inner museum gallery | Wikimedia Commons
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