Prince of Wales Museum Mumbai

Prince of Wales Museum Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya) is a premier museum of art and history in Mumbai.

Overview

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly the Prince of Wales Museum) is a Grade I Heritage Building in South Mumbai housing over 50,000 artifacts across three sections: art, archaeology, and natural history.

Historical Context

The museum was founded in 1904 during the visit of the Prince of Wales (later King George V) and opened in 1922 in a building designed by George Wittet in Indo-Saracenic style. The collection draws from colonial-era acquisitions, including purchases from the 1904 exhibition and subsequent donations.

Features/Significance

The museum holds a significant collection of Mughal and Pahari miniature paintings, Ajanta cave painting copies, a fine Gandhara and Kushan sculpture gallery, a remarkable collection of Thanjavur (Tanjore) paintings, and ivory, metal, and stone artifacts. The natural history section includes geological specimens. The Indo-Saracenic building itself is architecturally notable.

Modern Status

Renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. One of Mumbai’s most visited museums. Open to public with admission fee. Undergoing conservation of the heritage building.

Verification Notes

• Founded 1904, opened 1922; Indo-Saracenic building by George Wittet.
• Renamed 1998.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).