Albert Hall Museum is located in the heartland of Jaipur city. It is one of the ancient most and popular museums of the city. Other name of this museum is Government Central Museum. Its origination goes back to as early as the year 1876. Albert Hall Museum functions as the State museum of Rajasthan. It was planned, designed and supervised by Samuel Swinton Jacob, the then British army officer. The popular saying is that Maharaja Ram Singh, who was king of Jaipur, desired to build it for his personal utilization.
Architecture of Albert Hall Museum
Albert Hall Museum is located in Ram Nivas Gardens, a famous tourist spot of Jaipur. Albert Hall Museum is one of the popular buildings. It is a treasure house of unusual and striking items. The design of the building itself is exquisite. The colossal structure, the exquisite architectural splendour still breathes the sighs of history. It has been built following the Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture. The museum houses many towers, courtyards and archways. Thus this Albert Hall Museum stands as a paradigm of rich heritage of culture of the country.
The Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur is embellished with its numerous miniature paintings. These wonderful paintings belong to various schools of paintings like Udaipur, Jaipur, Bundi, Kishangarh and Kota. Majestic portraits of royal Jaipur kings also find place in this museum. They are placed on the 1st floor of Central (Albert Hall) Museum. This adds fervour to this museum`s magnanimity. Amongst other precious artworks including its huge jewellery collection, metal artworks, carving deserve mentioning. Also several brass articles are found which boast about the skills and expertise of craftsmen. The rear half of the building comprises three long galleries of double height, arranged in a row, and together providing the main exhibition space. The galleries are surrounded by corridors. Centrally placed in front of them is a spacious hall intended for lectures and public meetings, flanked on either side by an open courtyard.
The ground floor of the Albert Hall consists the exquisite brilliance of the Metal Art, the gallantry of arms and amours, the brilliance of Indian pottery and of course the sheer presence of the carport collection. The collection of carpet includes "Jaipur Garden Carpet", which is indeed regarded as the best and earliest of all the garden works. The theme is of "Char Bagh" or four gardens showing a tank with animals catching fish. Apart from this there are others 10th century Indian carpets.
The first floor displays miniature paintings, clay figures, Rajasthani woodworks, jewellery and ivory work, clay wares; dainty carving and also conventional dresses of kings for special functions. In nutshell, the Albert Hall Museum nicely restores the aristocracy and dignity of Jaipuri Maharajas. The highlights of the museum, however, are displayed in its central gallery, which is completely devoted to the Rajasthani music and dance forms.
