State Archaeological Museum, Archaeological museum in Behala district, Kolkata, India
The State Archaeological Museum occupies a former palace building and displays an extensive collection of artifacts discovered across West Bengal and neighboring areas. The exhibits include ancient stone tools, terracotta figurines, stamped coins, and copper plate inscriptions spanning multiple periods of Indian history.
The museum was established in 1962 following a donation of the palace building by the Roy family. A section dedicated to historical art was added in 1963, reflecting growing interest in regional artistic preservation.
The building itself reflects how Kolkata valued preservation and education in the mid-twentieth century. You can sense this commitment through the way exhibits are arranged to tell stories of ancient Bengali civilizations.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, and visiting in the morning is usually more comfortable with fewer crowds. The location on Satyen Roy Road is accessible by local transportation and nearby streets are easy to navigate.
The collection of ancient bronzes and wood carvings reveals specialized craftwork techniques that were passed down through generations in the region. These pieces are rarely displayed together elsewhere and offer insight into how artisans approached their work differently across various periods.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.