World class museum in Gwalior

The H.H.Maharaja Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum offers to the public a unique view of the palace created in the 19th and 20th century and focuses on various arts and crafts that grew and reached their zenith under the patronage of the royal family. The museum has a rare collection of French, Belgian, English, Malabar, Oriental & Crystal furniture some of which was made at the palace & some of which was collected during the travels of the Scindia's to different parts of the world. Carriages & palanquins depending on the purpose dominate one part of the enclosure. A rare item is the hunting `howdah' used while hunting by royalty & strapped onto elephant back. Miniature style, Maratha paintings & 3-D paintings - part of the royal collection are found in the art section.

Sculptures from 2nd to the 20th century, some of which are from the Gwalior Fort as well as prints & decorative arts dominate a large portion of this extravagant museum. My personal favorites are an exclusive Persian Carpet with faces of 140 rulers woven on it, two large chandeliers inside the Durbar Hall & an electric train carriage that moves on specially laid rail tracks on a sprawling diniing with wine bottles in its carriages. Each time the diner picks up a bottle, the train carriage stops. To this day, its used to serve royalties special guests. Well worth a visit, this museum exceeds the expectations of many discerning travelers.