The museum was founded by Raja Mahant Ghasidas, a ruler of the princely state of Rajnandgaon.
The collection includes stone inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
It houses a rare collection of coins issued by various dynasties that ruled the region, including the Nalas and Somavamsis.
The tribal section features the 'Bastar Art' gallery, showcasing traditional metal casting techniques like Dhokra.
The building itself underwent significant modernization and renovation in the mid-1970s to improve display aesthetics.
The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum is one of India's oldest museums, established in 1875 by Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon. The two-story building houses an extensive collection of archaeological artifacts, tribal craft, and natural history specimens reflecting Chhattisgarh's regional heritage. Significant exhibits include copper plate inscriptions, stone sculptures from the Kalachuri period, and ancient coins. The anthropology section displays traditional attire, weapons, and tools used by the indigenous tribes of the Bastar region. Natural history galleries feature taxidermy of regional fauna and geological mineral samples. The institution serves as a central repository for historical findings uncovered during excavations across the Chhattisgarh state.
The main entrance foyer with its traditional architecture and the open-air courtyard containing large stone deity sculptures.
Focus on the ground floor for the extensive stone sculpture gallery before heading to the tribal sections upstairs.
Ask the staff about the provenance of the specific Kalachuri period carvings, which are the museum's highlights.
Carry a bottle of water as there are limited facilities inside the immediate museum complex.
Do not rely on the signage alone; some exhibits have limited labels, so engage with the guides if available.
Closed on Mondays and national public holidays.
Maintain a quiet tone in the galleries and avoid touching the exhibits or stone inscriptions.
