Located in the historic city of Junagadh in Gujarat, this art museum is counted among the top tourist destination in the city, visited by a large number of tourists every day. The Darbar Hall Museum is a reservoir of 19th century Nawabi’s possessions that were found at this place several years before. Among the top collection include palanquins, attires of the Nawabs & their family members, velvet covered cushioned seats, howdah, carpets, weapons, armours, gowns, silver thrones, chandeliers, artifacts, paintings, and other belongings that reflect their lifestyle and culture. The museum is housed in a Darbar, built by the Nawab of Junagarh.
The Nawab of earstwhile Junagadh State used to hold Darbars in the Hall known as Kacheri. When the last Nawab Mahabatkhan fled the possession of Junagadh was taken by the Regional Commissioner at Rajkot on behalf of the Government of India on 9th November 1947. The Kacheri Hall along with other buildings used by the Nawab was taken under protection and when the Junagadh state merged in Union of Saurastra in 1949 it was opened for the public to visit but it was not a part of the Museum Today.
The Hall was transferred to the Director of Museums subsequently upon creation of the Department of Museums in 1964. The Museum Department undertook the reorganization work for a fullfledged Museums. The old and worn out building was repaired; and around the main Hall several sections such as Picture Gallery, Palanquin room, Textile and Costumes gallery, Arms gallery etc.were added open for public on 26th June 1977.Owing to its rare collections and attractive arrangement Darbar Hall has become immensely popular and its visit has become essential for all the tourists, travelers, students, scholars and even common men, visiting Junagadh.
- Country – India
- State – Gujarat
- District – Junagadh
