Going through the red letter days

Students of Center of Media Studies,University of Allahabad visited Allahabad Museum on February 1st, 2011 to explore the Indian past.

Allahabad museum comes under, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, which is made in the memory of Chandra Shekhar Azad, who was shot dead by himself for the sake of his country.

While entering the museum there is a statue of this great freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad, who made a remarkable contribution in India's struggle for freedom.Along with the path till the entrance, there are small sculptures built on the street sides, like; MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, AJANTA STATUES and other BUDDHIST sculptures.

Authority can be appreciated for tight security and good management. It includes cameras, metal-detectors, vindictive guards, cleanliness, water, good sanitary facilities and responsible staff members.Visitors have to keep their bags outside. The most important and need able thing i.e. cameras are strictly prohibited here, so visitors can only capture the glimpse of history in their mind.

Moving further, by going upstairs, the building consist of many rooms in which historical treasures and many things are ready to be explored.All rooms are interlinked with each other, they consist the chronological focus, looking at the vast span of years from the beginning of ancient India to the present.

Glancing towards the first room, consists marvelous work of furniture made-up of Black-wood and sandal wood. Royal chairs, sofas, tables, almiras, mats, jharokhas, mirrors and doors are kept so preciously, that visitors could probably feel like they have entered 16th Century.

Entering next room, created an environment of wars and battlefield. It is full of swords, daggers, knife, arrows, heavy iron dressings of warriors etc. While watching these things, there are many artifacts which can capture viewer's attention.

There are different kinds of pots, sculptures, bells, caskets and luxuries with different colours, texture and art preserved under glasses.Opposite to this corner, there are many pistols, guns, and rifles which can be helpful in increasing viewer's curiosity and speaks much of past.

In India, development trends in different spheres - economic, cultural, social, political and religious of each time, shows the nature of authority and power.There are many portraits of Indian famous and powerful rulers of Mughal Era. Like - Babar, Akbar, Shahjahan, Jodhabai, Razia Sultan, etc. It is made under Ivory Base and laminated with glass.

Its worth can easily be shown through its uniqueness.

According to guide, there was a south Indian ruler `Hamid Ali Khan' who presented many historical and royal memories to Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, as gift. Historical trends, finally took the visitors to modern history, which contains the trauma and joy of pre and post Independent India.

Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru can be considered as the cynosure of this section. Trends of his life span including his contribution towards his country is depicted beautifully.It also includes many photographs of main nationalist event, highlighting Mahatma Gandhi and other political leaders of India.

Models of many palaces, eligens, markets, illustration of Mahabharata scenes, Indian God and Goddess, temple like - Thanjavore, Stupas, monument consisting Anand Bhawan, Nehru's home etc. which are made up of sandal-wood, black-wood, Ivory and even of Bones. These are built specially for the honour and respect by different nations, to 1st Prime Minister of country Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Allahabad Museum is treasure of exploration of past.Allahabad is one of the places, which experienced most incidents, events, birth and death of great leaders etc.Though, Allahabad is an educational town, a religious place to visit, but visiting Allahabad Museum can be an amazing, exciting and interesting experience for an individual. Allahabad Museum is a major witness of Indian golden and remarkable past.

Nidhi Sahu

Student

B.A in Media Studies

Semester-II

University of Allahabad