The Kutch Museum is the oldest in Gujarat. It has a collection of unique antique coins and the Kochi script. The Museum also has tribal artefacts, embroidery paintings, and musical instruments used by the tribal people. It is one of the best places to visit in Bhuj during the Bhuj tour package.

History of Kutch Museum

In 1877, the Museum was established and is one of the oldest in Gujarat. Originally known as the Fergusson Museum, it was founded by Maharao Khengarji III of Cutch (the Kutch at the time). This old portion of the School of Arts was transformed into a museum on July 1, 1877.

However, with the foundation laid in 1884 by Sir James Fergusson, the Governor of Bombay at the time, this Museum gained significant momentum during Khengarji's wedding that same year. According to reports, the wedding brought in many antiquities and other valuable objects for the Museum. 

The Mistress of Kutch created this Italian Gothic-style structure after Mc Leland, the state engineer at the time, drew it up. It is the Kshatriya artisan and craftsman community within the Hindu Gujarati community. 

However, the Museum was only informally open to the King and his chosen visitors and only to the general public on important religious occasions.

Collection at the Museum

Aside from the largest collection of Kshatrapa engravings from the first century AD, the Museum also houses a comprehensive timeline of Kutch history. This double-story structure exhibits a range of artefacts in eleven sections.

The ground floor displays the beautiful carving of the Airavat, a white Indian elephant with seven tusks. According to Hindu mythology, the Airavat is the vehicle of the Hindu deity Indira. 

It contains the biggest Kshatrapa inscriptions from the first century AD and instances of the extinct Kutchi script, which no longer exists. The Museum has a different section dedicated to the unique culture of the tribal people. Tourists can also see the historical artefacts, art and craft work, and the culture of the Kutch tribal people.