India’s bustling cities, from Mumbai’s vibrant history of trade and Bollywood to Delhi’s layered imperial past and Kolkata’s intellectual legacy, are rich with stories. However, unlike their Western counterparts such as Amsterdam, New York, or Berlin, where city museums vividly document urban development, Indian metropolises are notably missing these crucial historical archives. Most of the approximately 1,000 museums in India primarily focus on artifacts, archaeology, or national figures, leaving the living, evolving narratives of their cities—their streets, people, food, and architecture—largely untold. This creates a disconnect between citizens and their urban heritage, as noted by Delhi-based architect Dikshu Kukreja, who emphasizes the importance of everyday stories and vernacular architecture often overlooked in official records.
Globally, city museums are instrumental in shaping urban identity. Amsterdam’s museum, for instance, charts the city’s journey from a medieval trading post to a modern metropolis, embracing the stories of its diverse inhabitants. Similarly, the Museum of the City of New York weaves together the immigrant experience, economic history, and social movements to offer a comprehensive view of the city’s transformation.
Aloka Parasher-Sen, a retired professor of history, suggests that the concept of city museums, deeply rooted in colonial traditions, is somewhat alien to India. She points out that Indian traditions often preserve history through lived experiences, such as temples acting as repositories of art and festivals passing down local lore. However, relying solely on living traditions has limitations, and a more comprehensive approach incorporating recovered history through diverse media is needed. Institutional barriers, such as fragmented responsibility between bodies like the Archaeological Survey of India and municipal corporations, also pose significant challenges.
Past attempts to establish city museums in India have often been hampered by poor execution and neglect. ‘Kolkata Panorama,’ intended to showcase the city’s rich past, remains closed for renovations since 2017, with plans for its revival stalled due to funding issues. Ahmedabad’s Sanskar Kendra City Museum, a modernist architectural gem, has been shut for over five years for restoration, a stark contrast to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status. Delhi has also seen multiple proposals for city museums at its historic Town Hall fail to materialize.
Mumbai’s Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, however, offers a beacon of hope. Revitalized through a public-private partnership, it has successfully transformed into a space that chronicles Mumbai’s multifaceted history, incorporating everyday stories and marginalized communities into its narrative. Looking ahead, cities like Bhopal are also planning to open their own city museums, signaling a potential shift in preserving urban heritage. As Kukreja rightly points out, city museums are not mere luxuries but essential civic tools for fostering understanding and building more resilient, inclusive cities.