Shruti Suman
During his speech at the inauguration of the convention hall at Pragati Maidan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. This ambitious project aims to become the world’s largest museum, showcasing India’s rich and diverse history. The name “Yuge Yugeen Bharat,” derived from Sanskrit, translates to “everlasting India,” symbolizing the timeless essence of the nation’s heritage.
Location of the Museum:
The proposed museum will be housed within the existing buildings of North Block and South Block, which are part of the Central Secretariat complex. These buildings, constructed during the 1930s, currently serve as the administrative centers for various ministries, including the Prime Minister’s Office, External Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Home Ministry.
About Yuge Yugeen Bharat:
The forthcoming museum will occupy an expansive area of 1.17 lakh square meters, spanning across the North and South blocks adjacent to Rashtrapati Bhavan. It will comprise three stories, including a ground basement.
The architectural design will feature 950 rooms, surpassing the grandeur of the Louvre in Paris, France, which is currently the world’s largest museum, covering an area of 73,000 square meters.
One of the notable highlights of the museum is its plan to showcase 5,000 years of Indian history. It will take visitors on a journey through the distinct metallurgical cultures of ancient Indian communities, such as the zinc extraction in Zawar, Rajasthan.
The museum will dedicate an entire floor to the ancient Sindhi-Saraswati civilizations, focusing on important sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Lothal.
Another section will celebrate India’s diverse fauna and flora, which have played an integral role in shaping the country’s culture and continue to be revered to this day.
Sacred sites and temples across the land will also be showcased, displaying the religious heritage of the forefathers.
Significant ancient texts like the Vedas, Puranas, and other manuscripts of civilizational importance will have a prominent place in the museum.
The contributions of Indian scholars like Charaka and Sushruta, who played vital roles in shaping India’s medical practices, will also be highlighted.
The museum will pay homage to ancient Indian empires such as the Mauryans, Guptas, Kushans, Rashtrakutas, Gurjara-Pratiharas, and the Palas, who have had a profound impact on the nation’s history.
It will also delve into the medieval period, showcasing various kingdoms like the Solankis, Sisodias, Parmar, and Rajput states, along with their art styles, religious contributions, and victories.
The repository will cover kingdoms from the Ahoms in the Northeast to the Vijayanagara dynasty in the South, allowing people to learn from their legacies.
Shifting to more recent times, the museum’s fifth section will focus on India’s struggles during the British occupation and the valiant efforts of revolutionaries to free the nation from foreign rule.
