Image Source: Hendrik Bergen
About Bhuri Sing Museum
Established in 1908, the Bhuri Singh Museum is nestled in the heart of Chamba town. A guardian and storyteller of the region’s vibrant cultural tapestry, the Bhuri Singh Museum was born from colonial-era collaborations and princely patronage to safeguard centuries-old art, history, and archaeology for future generations.
Origins & Historical Importance
The museum was built by Raja Bhuri Singh (r. 1904–1919), who generously donated his family’s inherited artworks—paintings, manuscripts, and royal memorabilia.
The vision and scholarly drive were provided by Dr. J. Ph. Vogel, a noted Dutch epigraphist and Indologist from the Archaeological Survey of India, who realized the urgent need to preserve scattered inscriptions and antiquities in the region. A public building was repurposed beside the historic Chaugan Ground to form the museum’s home. It officially opened on 14 September 1908.
In 1975, the original heritage structure was replaced by the current three-story concrete-and-stone edifice, designed to blend Chamba’s traditional architectural character with colonial elements.
Architecture of Bhuri Singh Museum
The museum’s dignified facade features
Locally sourced stone cladding with wooden balconies reminiscent of Chamba idioms.
Symmetrical clerestory windows and sloping metal-sheet roofs with deep eaves—well-suited to the Himalayan climate.
A twin-block design: one housing galleries, the other administrative offices, a library, a seminar hall, and an exhibition space.
Collections & Galleries
Today, the museum houses 8,500+ artifacts, organized across six to seven thematic galleries:
1. Chamba Art Gallery (Ground Floor)
Features Chamba rumals (embroidered textiles with folk narratives), medieval bronze statues, carved wooden panels, retrieved wall paintings (e.g., from Rang Mahal palace), royal arms and armor, and Pahari miniature paintings.
2. Archaeology Gallery
Showcases stone sculptures, terracotta artifacts, and fountain stones bearing medieval inscriptions. It includes rare copper-plate prasastis (deeds) from Sarahan, Devi-ri-kothi, and Mul Kihar, shedding light on regional dynastic history.
3. Pahari Painting Gallery (1st Floor)
A rich collection from Basohli, Guler, Kangra, and Chamba schools, depicting scenes from mythological texts like the Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana, and local folklore. Rebel romanticism and exquisite color gradients define these works.
4. Chamba History & Manuscripts Gallery
Includes manuscript pages, copper and stone inscriptions, and correspondence in Sharda, Tankari, Bhoti, Gurmukhi, and Persian scripts. These records span over a thousand years, illustrating political, religious, and cultural developments.
5. Numismatics Gallery
Holds coins from ancient punch-marked types to medieval and princely-era currencies that trace the economic transitions in Chamba.
6. Anthropology & Wood Art Gallery (2nd Floor)
Displays tribal costumes, jewelry, musical instruments, wooden utensils, and domestic artifacts that reveal the daily lives of Himalayan communities.
7. Old Photographs Gallery
A trove of historical photographs, depicting the grandeur and architecture of Chamba town and its rulers.
Cultural & Research Role
The museum attracts 35,000+ researchers and tourists annually, serving as a center for academic study, art education, and heritage awareness.
It houses a reference library, offers audio guides, schedules school programs, lectures, and workshops, and often facilitates seminars in its conference hall.
A gift shop and publication counter allow visitors to take home literature and reproductions related to Chamba’s heritage.
Visiting Info
Opening hours: 10 AM–5 PM (Tuesday–Sunday); closed Mondays and gazetted holidays.
Entry fees: Indian – ₹50, Foreigners – ₹150, Children under 10 – ₹30. Additional charges for cameras and videography apply.
Why Visit?
Experience an unrivaled collection of Pahari miniature paintings, particularly from Basohli and Guler-Kangra.
Explore in situ medieval inscriptions, providing rare historical insights unique to Chamba’s secluded past.
The museum building itself is a testament to Chamba’s architectural legacy, blending local stonework and timber craft with early 20th-century design.
Ideal for researchers, students, artists, and history enthusiasts looking to delve into Himalayan art, culture, and material anthropology.