The 193-year-old Manchester Museum of Britain is being reopened on 18th February, after renovation, which cost around 151 crore Rupees. Here, some things related to when India was colonized are there as well. But what is noteworthy is that during the last few years, changes have been made to the things related to India in the museum. Now, a complete gallery of the museum has been dedicated to India, in which India’s history, and more than 140 pieces of art from Indian culture, have been preserved.
The gallery also carries correspondence between scientist Albert Einstein and Professor Satyendra Nath Bose. The literature related to the correspondence has been donated by Professor Bose’s grandson, Falguni Sarkar. Sarkar said that through the letters sent to Einstein, Bose had mentioned how Einstein’s work impacted the scientist-community.
Along with this, some heritage from 1931 has been kept in the museum which is related to MK Gandhi’s Lancashire visit, where he had met workers. The museum has also placed the hand-cart, which has been decorated. Currently, the gallery is being shown on the Manchester Museum’s website, under the name of ‘The Indian Gallery’ and ‘South Asian Gallery’. Museum Director Hartwig Fischer said that for the first time, the South Asian diaspora and reliable things associated to them, have been kept in this gallery.
The aim behind this gallery dedicated to India is to spread the different facets of South Asia, including India, among people. Priya Khanchandani, Curatorial Head, London Museum, said that this gallery has been made to attempt and show Indian history by removing the focus from the Mughal period alone.
