Hidden DU Museum With 1K Artefacts Awaits Revamp

Blocks away from Delhi University's Arts Faculty, a relatively lesser-known museum, housed within the department of anthropology in North Campus, is preparing for a transformation.

- Aheli Das

NEW DELHI: While the museum is home to over a thousand artefacts that span diverse cultural and material heritage from across the world, the 78-year-old centre displays less than half its collection due to a space crunch.

According to officials, a proposal for expansion has been approved by DU and is now under review by the Union ministry of culture for funding. "A high-level committee, comprising experts from all over India, had been formed to deliberate on the expansion of the museum," said Soumendra Mohan Patnaik, head of department of anthropology.

The museum, established in 1947 by Prafulla Chandra Biswas (who also founded the department), is housed in a heritage building dating back to the British era, marked by sprawling lawns and an arched, semi-open entrance leading to a display area. At present, it is spread across just two rooms, flanked by two libraries and a workspace for PhD scholars.