Information on the Goa state museum

In this article I have provided information on the most famous museum in Goa- The Goa state museum. I have provided detailed information on the various artifacts and galleries in the museum.

Goa state museum

Goa has a rich tradition and history. Goa unlike the rest of mainland India was a colony of the Portuguese for about 450 years and has a great influence of Portugal. The art, architecture, monuments all have their Portuguese effect on them. The Goa state museum plays a great role in preserving the heritage of Goa.
The Goa state museum is situated in the capital of Goa, Panjim (formerly Panaji). This is the new complex located in the EDC complex of Patto. The new complex was inaugurated on 18th June 1996 by the then President of India Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Prior to the new complex, the various artifacts were located in Department of Artifacts and later on relocated in a rented building at St. Inez at Panjim.
The museum is famous for its 8000 artifacts which attract various tourists from different places. It is especially known for its Hindu and Jain scriptures. Some of the sculptures are priceless inscriptions which date back to the 4th century A.D. The visitors can find various wooden objects, manuscripts and famous paintings. There are various clay and bronze objects which tell the story of a different word by forgotten. There is a section dedicated to the freedom struggle of Goa and many items related to it can be found here. Other than the Hindu and the Jain scriptures, many Christian items can be found including the Christian art gallery. Some of the things that capture the attention of the onlookers are the antique lottery machine and a historically significant carved table which was used while Goa's inquisition by the Indian forces.

The numismatic gallery is one of the finest and is a must visit for history loving people. The museum also has a gallery depicting paintings made by the ex governor of Goa- S.K. Banerji. The gallery is known as Banerji Art Gallery after him. The Goa state museum organises various events and competitions.