Indian Journal of History of Science, 52.3 (2017) 357-368 DOI: 10.

16943/ijhs/2017/v52i3/49167

Project Report

History of Science Museums and Planetariums in India*

Jayanta Sthanapati**

1. INTRODUCTION III. Planetariums

The current study has been envisaged to IV. Natural History Museums
present a comprehensive history of the
V. Mobile Science Exhibition
development of Indian Science Museums and
Planetariums, and study their exhibits and VI. Interview of Pioneers of Science Museums and
activities. Based on available documents, their Planetariums
impact in enhancing public understanding of
Details of the findings are presented in the
science and technology has also been attempted.
following sections:
Two major accounts on science museum
(or science centre) movement in India, written by 2. SCIENCE MUSEUMS, SCIENCE CENTRES
Dr Saroj Ghose, former Director General of AND SCIENCE CITIES
NCSM (1986-1997) and Shri Ingit K
Mukhopadhyay, former DG NCSM (1997-2009) In the early years of 1950s, Pandit
and on Indian planetariums by Shri Piyush Pandey, Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India,
former Director of Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai Shri G D Birla, a renowned industrialist, Prof K S
(2003-2011) though not very comprehensive in Krishnan, a world renowned physicist and Dr B
historical studies of science museums and C Roy, a renowned physician and the then Chief
planetariums in India has helped us a lot to prepare Minister of West Bengal took considerable interest
our document. However, there was not a single in establishment of Science Museums in the
account available on the history of natural history country. With their support and under the
museums in India. The ‘Science Museum’ has leadership of Shri Ved Prakash Beri, Shri
been used as a generic term to include traditional Ramanatha Subramanian and Shri Amalendu
science museums, natural history museums, Bose, three science museums, namely, Birla
science centres and science cities. The Museum (1954) at Pilani; Science Museum of
‘Planetarium’ on the other hand covers all forms National Physical Laboratory (1956) in New Delhi
of space theatres using projection systems like and Birla Industrial & Technological Museum
manual, opto-mechanical, hybrid and digital. (1959) in Calcutta (now Kolkata) (Fig. 1), were
The study was carried out under the opened, respectively. The fourth science museum,
following chapters: namely, Visvesvaraya Industrial and
Technological Museum (1965) was opened in
I. Aim and Scope of the Study
Bangalore (now Bengaluru). The last two
II. Science Museums, Science Centres and museums were set up and run by the Council of
Science Cities Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

* Accomplished under the sponsorship of National Commission for History of Science between 20th June 2013 and 31st March
2016.
**Corpus Research Institute, 28/C/1, Gariahat Road West, Kolkata 700068. Email: dr.jayanta.sthanapati@gmail.com
358 INDIAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE

ii) To popularize science and technology in cities,

urban and rural areas for the benefit of students
and for the common man by organizing
exhibitions, seminars, popular lectures,
science camps and various other programs.
iii) To promote and enhance public understanding
of the culture of science and technology.
iv) To supplement science education given in
schools and colleges and to organize various
out-of-school educational activities to foster
a spirit of scientific inquiry and creativity
among the students.
Fig. 1. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata,
1959 v) To design, develop and fabricate science
museum exhibits, demonstration equipment
and scientific teaching aids for science
In the early 1970s, the National Planning
education and popularization of science.
Commission constituted a Task Force to assess
the activities of the science museums working vi) To organize training programmes for science
under CSIR and to recommend the future course teachers, students, young entrepreneurs,
of growth and development. It saw an immense technicians, physically challenged,
potential of the science museums in imparting non- housewives and others on specific subjects of
formal science education to the public and creating science, technology and industry.
a scientific awareness in the society. The task force
By the end of the financial year 2015-16,
felt it necessary that science museums be set up
all over the country in a three-tier network and a the country has 4 science museums, 49 science
specialized agency be formed to coordinate such centres and 3 science cities. Out of these 56
activity. Thus National Council of Science institutions, National Council of Science Museums
Museums (NCSM) was formed in 1978 and in has set up 2 science museums, 40 science centres
turn, the council initiated action to establish and a science city. Remaining 2 science museums,
national level science centres in the metropolis, 9 science centres and 2 science cities were
regional science centres in state capitals and sub- established by various other government and
regional or district science centres in state capitals private agencies. The growth of science museums
of small states or union territories or in districts. in India may be seen in Table 1.
Following are the main objectives of Science centres are beacons of knowledge
Science Museums, Science Centres and Science which are displayed in a perfect balance of fun
Cities in India: and learning. Nehru Science Centre, the first
i) To portray the growth of science and national level science centre was established in
technology and their applications in industry Mumbai by NCSM in 1985. The centre was
and human welfare, with a view to develop a inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
scientific attitude and temper and to create, India’s National Science Centre was set up in New
inculcate and sustain a general awareness Delhi in 1992 and dedicated to the nation by Shri
amongst the people. P.V. Narasimha Rao, then Prime Minister of India.
 PROJECT REPORT: HISTORY OF SCIENCE MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS IN INDIA 359

Table 1. Growth of Science Museums in India

1814- 1954- 1964- 1974- 1984- 1994- 2004- 2014- Total
1953 1963 1973 1983 1993 2003 2013 2016

Natural History Museums or Galleries 34 8 3 6 2 4 2 1 60

Science Museums (traditional) 3 1 4
Science Centres 2 12 14 18 3 49
Science Cities 1 2 3

Shrikrishna Science Centre, the first umbrella of NCSM, was established by State Govt.
regional level Science Centre was set up in Patna of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram in 1984. It was
by NCSM and was inaugurated in 1978. dedicated to the people by Shri K. Karunakaran,
Subsequently, NCSM had established seven more the then Chief Minister of Kerala. Next such
regional science centres in cities like Bhubaneswar centre, Periyar Science and Technology Centre,
(1989), Nagpur (1992), Tirupati (1993), Guwahati was set up in Chennai by the State Govt. of Tamil
(1994), Bhopal (1995), Kozhikode (1997) and Nadu in 1990. Eminent industrialist Shri G P Birla
Kurukshetra (2000). Additionally, NCSM had had set up regional level science centres, namely,
developed eight regional science centres in the B M Birla Science Centre (1990) in Hyderabad
country as turn-key jobs which after inauguration and B M Birla Science & Technology Centre
are being run by respective state governments. (1995) in Jaipur. Thereafter, five science centres
Such centres are located in Ranchi (2010), were opened by the respective state governments
Dharwad (2012), Jaipur (2012), Raipur (2012), in places like Agartala (1997), Tiruchirappalli
Pune (2013), Coimbatore (2013), Pilikula (2014) (1999), Surat (2009), Vellore (2010) and Kavaratti
and Dehradun (2016). (2011).
The first District Science Centre (DSC), The first Science City of the country was
was opened by NCSM at Purulia (1982). The opened by NCSM in Kolkata in 1997. Thereafter
council subsequently had set up sub-regional or Govt. of Punjab had established Pushpa Gujral
district science centres at Dharampur (1984), Science City in 2005 in Jalandhar and Govt. of
Gulbarga (1984), Tirunelveli (1987), Burdwan Gujarat had set up Gujarat Science City in
(1994), Dhenkanal (1995), Digha (1997), Siliguri Ahmedabad in 2012.
(1997) and Panaji (2001). These centres are run
Like other great science museums of the
by NCSM. Several small science centres like
world, Indian science museums have always
above mentioned district centres were developed
considered thematic galleries as the principal tool
by NCSM which were handed over to respective
to fulfil its primary objectives. Indian science
state agencies. Such centres were set up at Port
museum professional during the last sixty years
Blair (2003), Aizawl (2003), Dimapur (2004),
or so have indigenously designed and developed
Imphal (2005), Itanagar (2006), Shillong (2006),
more than two hundred thematic indoor galleries
Kalimpong (2008), Gangtok (2008), Solapur
covering important topics like Agriculture,
(2010), Jodhpur (2013), Jorhat (2013) and
Astronomy, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Coal
Puducherry (2015).
Mine, Communication, Electricity, Electronics,
Kerala State Science & Technology Emerging Technologies, Evolution of Life, Fun
Museum, the first science centre outside the Science, Information Revolution, Life Science,
360 INDIAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE

Fig. 2. Science City, Kolkata, 1998

Metallurgy, Mining, Motive Power, Nuclear Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh having
Science, Our Science and Technology Heritage, four planetariums. Bihar and Assam have three
Physics, Prehistoric Life, Space, Television, planetariums, while Andhra Pradesh, Kerala,
Textiles, Transport, and many more. Punjab and Telangana have two planetariums.
Other states like Goa, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya
Science City in Kolkata (Fig. 2) is the most
Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Sikkim have one
popular venue which was visited by 14.91 lakh
planetarium. The states which do not operate any
persons during the year 2015-16. Further, it is a
planetarium are ten, namely, Arunachal Pradesh,
matter of pride to note that since 1998-99, Science
Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &
City is running with its own steam – from the Kashmir, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
revenue it generates through activities, entry fees Nagaland, Tripura and Uttarakhand. Out of seven
and by giving auditorium, exhibition space, Union Territories, only Delhi, Puducherry and
seminar halls etc. on rent. While annual Lakshadweep, have planetariums. Sponsors of
expenditure of Science City in 2015-16 was rupees these planetariums belong to Government
1761.35 lakh, it earned revenue of rupees 1856.34 Departments (17), Science Museums /Centres
lakh during the same period. (13), Schools and Colleges (8), Municipalities (7),
Non-Government Organizations (5), and Private
3. PLANETARIUMS Organisations (5). The growth of planetariums in
Planetariums have long been playing a India may be seen in Table 2.
crucial role in refining the astronomical concepts The Kusumbai Motichand Planetarium,
of the people of India. The country now has fifty- the first planetarium in India, was established in
five planetariums (Table 2). The highest number 1954 in Pune’s New English School. It was set up
of planetariums, which is six, is in Gujarat, by Walchand Group of Industries. This 9m dome
Maharashtra and West Bengal. Next to them are planetarium with a Spitz A1 projector is still in

Table 2. Growth of Planetariums in India

1954- 1964- 1974- 1984- 1994- 2004- 2014- Total
1963 1973 1983 1993 2003 2013 2016
Planetariums 4 3 4 12 10 17 5 55
 PROJECT REPORT: HISTORY OF SCIENCE MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS IN INDIA 361

Fig. 3. Birla Planetarium, Kolkata, 1966

operation. Our first Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal projectors were established. Shri Jawaharlal Nehru
Nehru in 1956 had received a ZKP1 planetarium Planetarium in Arya Kanya Vidya Mandir, a Girls’
projector as a gift from Carl Zeiss of Jena, school, was opened in Porbandar in 1965. It was
Germany. He passed it on to Dr K S Krishnan, sponsored by Shri Nanji Kalidas Mehta, an
Director of National Physical Laboratory, New industrialist. The other two planetariums were
Delhi, who in turn asked Shri R Subramanian to Gandhi Planetarium (1971) in Vijayawada
set up a 6m dome planetarium in NPL campus. established by the Gandhi Hill Foundation and
The third planetarium was established in Langat Rotarian Aswin Mehta Memorial Planetarium
Singh College at Muzaffarpur. Its projector a (1972) in Surat founded by the Surat Municipal
ZKP1 model was gifted to Dr Rajendra Prasad, Corporation.
President of India in 1956 by Carl Zeiss. Dr Prasad
The growth of planetariums during the
gave it to L S College where Rev. John Nitchel
third decade (1974-1983) was also slow – only
took all initiative to open a 6m dome planetarium
four were added to the chain. In 1976, Vadodara
with the projector in 1958. Birla Planetarium, the
Mahanagar Seva Sadan (a Municipality) opened
largest planetarium of the country was set up in
Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel Planetarium in
Kolkata by the initiative of industrialist Shri
Vadodara. This 12.5m dome planetarium had
Madhav Prasad Birla (Fig. 3). This 23.2m dome
installed a Zeiss RFP projector. The next was the
planetarium with a Zeiss Universal projector was
Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai. This 22.86m dome
dedicated to the nation in 1963 by Prime Minister
planetarium opened in 1977 had a Zeiss projector,
Pt Jawaharlal Nehru. The planetarium was
Universal Mark IV. Two more 8m dome
subsequently named after M P Birla. Thus only
planetariums were established during the decade.
four planetariums were established during the first
A planetarium in Govt. College of Engineering in
decade from 1954 to 1963.
Salem was opened with a Zeiss ZKP1 projector
During the second decade (1964-1973) in 1979. Another planetarium, called Jawahar
three 8m dome planetariums with Zeiss ZKP1 Planetarium, having a Zeiss ZKP2 projector was
362 INDIAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE

set up in 1980 by Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial projector. Two more planetariums were opened
Fund in Allahabad. during the decade. Both were established by the
Science and Technology Departments of the
The first planetarium of the fourth decade
respective State Governments and had installed
(1984-1993) was again named after Jawaharlal
Goto projectors. Pathani Samanta Planetarium of
Nehru, first Prime minister of India. Nehru
Bhubaneswar, opened in 1990, had a Goto GX2
Planetarium, New Delhi opened in 1984 was
projector in a 12m dome. In 1993, Indira Gandhi
sponsored by Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund.
Planetarium, Patna was opened in a 16m dome
This 15m dome planetarium used a Zeiss projector,
with a Goto GM-II Starfield projector.
RFP-DP1. In 1984, the Pratap Rudra Planetarium
was established by Warangal Municipal Ten planetariums were opened during the
Corporation in Warangal. The 8m dome fifth decade (1994-2003). Guwahati Planetarium,
planetarium has a Zeiss ZKP2 projector. In the a 12m dome planetarium with a Goto GX projector
early 1980s, Shri Ganga Prasad Birla, an was established by the Department of Science and
industrialist and cousin brother of Shri M P Birla, Technology of Government of Assam in 1994 in
took an initiative to set up three planetariums in Guwahati. Another planetarium with a Goto
the country in memory of his father Shri Braj projector (model GS-AT), called Meghnad Saha
Mohan Birla. The first B M Birla Planetarium was Planetarium, was opened in 1994 at Burdwan. It
opened in Hyderabad in 1985 which had a 12m was sponsored by the University of Burdwan. Also
dome. Incidentally, in India, it had used for the opened in 1994 was the Priyadarsini Planetarium
first time a projector (model GX) manufactured in Thiruvananthapuram which was sponsored by
by Goto Optical Manufacturing Ltd. of Japan. The the Department of Higher Education, Government
second B M Birla Planetarium was opened in 1988 of Kerala. The planetarium had a Goto GM-II-AT
in Chennai which has a 15m dome and a Goto projector in a 15m dome. Rajkot Municipal
GM II–T Starfield projector. Only after a year, the Corporation in 1994 had established Pramukh
G P Birla Group opened another B M Birla Swami Planetarium, in Rajkot in a small 8m dome
Planetarium in Jaipur. Like the one in Hyderabad with a Zeiss ZKP2 projector.
this planetarium has a 12m dome and Goto GX NCSM, in 1977 had established three
projector. In 1985, the second Spitz projector, planetariums in Raman Science Centre, Nagpur;
model Spitz 512, was installed in a 15m dome at Regional Science Centre, Kozhikode; and Science
the Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre in Puttaparthi. It City, Kolkata. Nagpur planetarium has an 11m
was sponsored by Sri Sathya Sai Institute of dome and Zeiss ZKP3 projector. Kozhikode
Higher Learning. In 1987, Ludhiana Municipal planetarium had installed Zeiss RFP-DP2
Corporation established Nehru Planetarium in projector in a 15.3m dome. The Space Theatre at
Ludhiana in an 8m dome having a Zeiss ZKP2 Science City, Kolkata has a GSS-Helios Star Ball
projector. Two years later, Shipping Corporation projector along with Astrovision 70 manufactured
of India established an identical planetarium in by Goto Optical Mfg. Ltd., Japan. In 1998,
Mumbai. In 1989, Shrimati Nirmala Birla, wife Manipal University established Dr T M A Pai
of Shri G P Birla, had set up a small 5m dome Planetarium on its campus. It was an 8m dome
planetarium with a Goto E-5 projector in Modern planetarium with a Zeiss ZKP2 projector. Another
High School for Girls’ in Kolkata. Bangalore small dome planetarium (8.5m) with a Goto GS
Association for Science Education had opened projector was opened at Anna Science Centre,
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore in 1989. Tiruchirappalli in 1999 by the Tamil Nadu Science
The 15m dome planetarium has a Zeiss RFP-DP and Technology Centres. The first planetarium in
 PROJECT REPORT: HISTORY OF SCIENCE MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS IN INDIA 363

the new millennium was established by the 2011. In the same year, Dept. of Science and
Council of Science and Technology of the Technology of the Union Territory of
Government of Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow. Named Lakshadweep opened a 10m dome planetarium in
as Indira Gandhi Planetarium, this Saturn shaped Kavaratti using a Megastar-IIB Star Ball of Ohira
building has a 15m dome and a Goto G-1518-AT Tech. Ltd., Japan, along with Definity Theater of
projector. SkySkan, USA. Two planetariums were
established in 2012. Council of Science and
As many as 17 planetariums were opened
Technology of the Government of Uttar Pradesh
during the sixth decade (2004-2013) in India. In
opened Aryabhatta Planetarium in Rampur. The
2006, Council of Science and Technology of the
12m dome planetarium used a Digistar 4 system
Government of Uttar Pradesh opened Veer
of Evan & Sutherland, USA. NCSM opened one
Bahadur Singh Planetarium, a 17.5m dome with
more 8m dome planetarium, this time at the Goa
Digistar 3 projector of Evans & Sutherland, USA.
Science Centre at Panaji using SX3-MK II Full
In 2007, NCSM, on behalf of Council of Science
Dome systems. Two small and a medium-size
and Technology of the Government of Haryana
planetariums were set up in 2013. Efforts
established Kalpana Chawla Memorial
Planetarium, an 8m dome planetarium with
Planetarium in Kurukshetra. The 12m dome
Digistar 4 was set up by Efforts Academy in
planetarium has a Spitz 1024 projector along with
Ahmednagar. An 8m dome planetarium was also
SciDome HB digital system. Yashwantrao Chavan
set up at Jorhat Science Centre, Jorhat by NCSM
Planetarium, a 10m dome planetarium with a
using Digistar 3 system. Council of Science and
Digistar 3 projector was opened in Nashik in 2007. Technology of the Government of Madhya
Pushpa Gujral Science City in Jalandhar also Pradesh opened Ujjain Planetarium in Ujjain in a
installed Digistar 3 along with Astrovision Ultra 12m dome with CRONOS-II and
70 of Goto in its 23m dome Space Theatre in 2008. VERTUARIUM-II SP2 HD projection systems
Three planetariums were opened in 2009. NCSM manufactured by Goto Optical Mfg. Ltd., Japan.
had set up a 5m fibre glass dome planetarium in Further, NCSM has opened five 8m dome
Regional Science Centre, Guwahati where a Hal- planetariums during 2014-15 in Science Centres
X2 Omnifocus projector manufactured by The in Patna, Digha, Gangtok, Imphal and Puducherry.
Elumenati, USA was used. Asha Kiran
Planetarium set up by Hukkeri family in Belgaum Starting from 2003, ten out of above
has a 12m dome with a Spherical Mirror System mentioned fifty planetariums have been upgraded
from Discovery Dome, USA. In 2009, Surat and four planetariums are inoperative for many
Municipal Corporation opened a 14.3m dome years. Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai is the most
planetarium in Surat Science Centre, using visited planetarium of the country.
Digistar 3 projection system. In 2010, NCSM
opened 8m dome planetariums in its three units – 4. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS
North Bengal Science Centre, Siliguri; District Natural History Museums are institutions
Science Centre, Gulbarga; and District Science that collect, display and research materials,
Centre, Tirunelveli. While planetarium at Siliguri collected or extracted from the natural world. The
has a Digistar 3 system, other two centres are multifaceted purpose of such a museum is to: (i)
having SX3-MK II Full Dome systems from build or store natural history collections, (ii)
Immersive Display, UK. NCSM’s District Science conduct research and interpret the results, (iii)
Centre at Dharampur too installed an SX3-MK II support the purpose of science and biological
Full Dome system in an 8m dome planetarium in conservation, (iv) enhance public understanding
364 INDIAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE

and appreciation of the natural world, and (v) Gallery, Madras (now Chennai), which was
collaborate with the public in deriving their own opened in 1851. The Museum of Natural History,
meaning from the natural heritage they encounter Economic Geology, Industry and Art was
in the museum and in nature. established in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1855.
Two general museums, set up in 1863, namely,
The Oriental Museum of the Asiatic
State Museum, Lucknow and Central Museum,
Society of Bengal, established in Calcutta in 1814,
Nagpur also had added natural history galleries.
had various natural history objects on display from
Government Museum, Bangalore (1865) too has
its inception. During last two hundred years, sixty
important natural history sections. Three more
natural history museums or natural history
museums – Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum,
galleries were set up in various parts of the country.
Raipur (1875), Watson Museum, Rajkot (1888),
The distribution of the institutions in sixteen states
and Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery,
is as follows: Uttar Pradesh (14), Maharashtra (6),
Vadodara (1894), had set up galleries on natural
Tamil Nadu (6), Gujarat (4), Kerala (3), Karnataka
history in the 19th century. The next ten natural
(3), Uttarakhand (3), West Bengal (3), Assam (2),
history galleries, set up as part of general museums
Bihar (2), Madhya Pradesh (2), Odisha (2), Punjab
in the 20th century, were at Patna Museum (1917),
(2), Rajasthan (2), Telangana (2), Chhattisgarh (1),
Prince of Wales Museum of Western India,
Manipur (1). Only two Union Territories of
Mumbai (1921), Municipal Museum, Gwalior
Chandigarh and New Delhi, are having natural
(1922), Museum of Antiquities, Jamnagar (1946),
history museums, one in each place. Further, if
Prabhas Patan Museum (1951), Government
we divide said two hundred years into eight
Museum JTC, Faizabad (1954), Bundelkhand
quarters of 25 years each, we find following
Chhatrasal Museum, Banda (1955), Chandradhari
distribution of museums: 1st quarter (1), 2nd (4),
Museum, Darbhanga (1957), Salipur Museum
3rd (7), 4th (8), 5th (8), 6th (14), 7th (11) and 8th quarter
(1975), Government Museum, Vellore (1985) and
(7).
Dinosaurium at B M Birla Science Centre
In India 20 natural history galleries were Hyderabad (2000).
set up as part of general museums, who also have
Since the late 19th century many Indian
galleries of art, archaeology, anthropology,
universities and colleges realised the importance
numismatics, crafts, paintings, science and so on.
of natural history collections in innovative
The departments of zoology, botany, geology, etc.
undergraduate science education. As a result,
of many colleges, universities and research
departmental natural history museums were set
institutions also have natural history museums and
up. Maharaj’s College in Ernakulam had first such
they are 23 in number. There are 17 fully dedicated
facility, a Zoology Museum in 1874. Only four
natural history museums, but their size and
more were there in that century, Natural History
collection vary widely.
Museum at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli
The Oriental Museum of the Asiatic (1881), Museum of the School of Plant
Society of Bengal (later named Indian Museum) Morphology at Meerut College (1892), Botany
was established with two major sections – one of Museum of Christ Church College, Kanpur (1896)
the archaeological and ethnological materials and and Central College Museum, Bangalore (1898).
the other of zoological and geological specimens. Other departmental natural history museums,
With the establishment of this museum, collection spread all over the country, were established
and display of natural history specimens began in during the 20th century. They are known as,
India. The next significant natural history display Museum of the Forest Research Institute,
was in Government Museum and National Art Dehradun (1906); Zoological Museum (1906) and
 PROJECT REPORT: HISTORY OF SCIENCE MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS IN INDIA 365

Agahrkar Museum (1923), both in Allahabad established in Chandigarh in 2001 and another
University, Botany and Zoology Museum, Isabela such private museum was opened at Thar in
Thoburn College, Lucknow (1921); Zoology Rajasthan (2007).
Museum, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar
(1929); Museum of Plant Fossils, Lucknow 5. MOBILE SCIENCE EXHIBITION
(1929); Botany and Zoology Museum, Madras In 1965 Birla Industrial and Technological
Christian College (1937); Botany Museums, Museum (BITM), Calcutta had launched the first
Punjab University, Chandigarh (1947); Zoology ever indigenously developed travelling science
Museums, Punjab University, Chandigarh (1948); exhibition called ‘Mobile Science Museum’
Geological Sciences Museum, Gauhati University (MSM). With an exhibition unit on ‘Our Familiar
(1950); Geological Museum, Lucknow University Electricity’, the MSM was inaugurated by Shri
(1951); Botany Museum, T D College, Jaunpur Prafulla Chandra Sen, then Chief Minister of West
(1956); Museum of the Botanical Survey of India, Bengal, on 17 November 1965 at Narendrapur
Dehradun (1956); Zoological Museum, D A V Ramakrishna Mission Ashram School,
College, Muzaffarnagar (1958); Geology and Narendrapur, about 17 kilo-meters away from
Geophysics Museum, University of Roorkee BITM. Conceptualized by Shri Saroj Ghose,
(1960); University Museum of Science and Curator-in-charge of BITM and developed by a
Culture, Aligarh Muslim University (1967); team of BITM officials the unit with 30 exhibits
Geological Museum, Jainarain College, Lucknow attempted to make school children and general
(1973) and Geological Museum, Indian Statistical public familiar with electricity and its use in daily
Museum, Kolkata (1977). life. Each exhibit was housed in a cabinet of size
The first dedicated natural history museum 99 cm (height) x 73.4 cm (breadth) and 30 cm
was established by the Bombay Natural History (width).
Society in Bombay in 1883. Next was the Natural In 1966, BITM changed the title of the
History Museum, set up in the premises of Kerala travelling exhibition from ‘Mobile Science
State Museum and Zoological Garden in Thrissur Museum’ to ‘Mobile Science Exhibition’. It
(1885), Gass Forest Museum was established in happened so because BITM authorities realized
Coimbatore in 1902. Next was the Bengal Natural that the MSM was not carrying any scientific
History Museum set up in Darjeeling in 1903. A artefact, typical of a museum, but was showing
Museum of Arthropoda was opened in Pune in didactic and working exhibits. So the term
1961. A large natural history museum was opened ‘exhibition’ looked more appropriate than
in Thiruvananthapuram in 1964. Two natural ‘museum’. They further experienced operational
history museums were attached to the nearest difficulties in running MSM as it was a
zoological gardens in Ahmedabad (1974) and cumbersome and laborious process to pack, load,
Hyderabad (1979). Two natural history museums unload, unpack and set up display stands and
were opened in the northeast, namely, Assam exhibits at each exhibition site. The solution to
Forest Museum (1983) in Guwahati and Biological this problem came in mid-1966 with the
Museum (1998) in Imphal. Five natural history introduction of ‘museobus’ which again was
museums with thematic galleries and extensive conceptualized by Saroj Ghose. Venus, the first
educational activities were established in New Indian ‘museobus’ was a specially designed
Delhi (1978), Mysore (1995), Bhopal (1997), structure on standard truck chassis that mounted
Bhubaneswar (2004), and Sawai Madhopur a set of 28 exhibit cabinets of standard size in four
(2014). A government natural history museum was rows, two facing outside and two facing inside.
366 INDIAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE

Fig. 4. First Mobile Science Exhibition Unit, 1966

The first ‘museobus’ carrying working and the Arts section of the museum where art work of
participatory science exhibits on the theme each exhibit is prepared by an Exhibition Officer.
‘Transformation of Energy’ was inaugurated on From there it goes to the workshop in-charge – a
December 27, 1966, in Barsul Vijnan Mandir near Curator or a Technical Officer. The exhibits are
Shaktigarh in Bardhaman district of West Bengal fabricated by technicians of different trades.
(Fig. 4). During 2013-14 average cost of fabrication of 24
exhibits for an MSE unit by NCSM was Rs 6.00
During the period between 1965 and 1976,
lakh.
BITM while functioning under Council of
Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR) had Fifteen Science Museums and Science
developed 8 mobile science exhibition units. In Centres of NCSM, during last 37 years (1978-
1978, at the time of formation of the National 2014), had developed 52 MSE units on 40 different
Council of Science Museums (NCSM), its three topics including two old subjects like Popular
constituent units were operating only six Science or Fun Science (12 units) and
museobuses. BITM with three museobuses Mathematics (5 units). Some of the new topics
exhibited five units, namely, Transformation of covering a wide range of subjects include
Energy, Popular Science, Light and Sight, Water Agriculture, Biodiversity, Computers, Energy,
– the Fountain of Life, and the Science of Motion. Environment, Food & Nutrition, Invention, Man
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological & Machine, Man the Tool Maker, Non-
Museum (VITM) in Bangalore had two conventional Energy Sources, Our Universe,
museobuses to exhibit units on the ‘Planet We Live Time, and Water & Sanitation.
In’ and ‘Water – the Fountain of Life and Popular A count of only four science museums and
Science’. Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai had one centres outside the umbrella of NCSM are
museobus with an exhibition unit on ‘Man Must operating MSE regularly. Two of these four
Measure’. centres, Science Centre, Port Blair and
Exhibits of a mobile science exhibition Chhattisgarh Science Centre, Raipur received
unit are designed by a Curator. It then moves to ready build museobus with exhibits from NCSM.
 PROJECT REPORT: HISTORY OF SCIENCE MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS IN INDIA 367

The other two institutions, namely, Kerala State of rural and suburban students. Quite importantly,
Science and Technology Museum, 21 of these institutions are units of NCSM.
Thiruvananthapuram and Periyar Science &
Technology Centre, Chennai hold mobile science 6. CONCLUSION
exhibitions regularly with their indigenously
During the period of current study, the
developed units. These four centres altogether use
author had further interacted with large number
six MSE units, three of which are on Popular
pioneers and important personalities face to face
Science.
or through emails. Details of such communication,
Generally, a mobile science unit travels 8 however, could not be presented in the report due
to 9 months a year with breaks (returns to the to paucity of space. The study emphasizes,
museum) after every forty-five days. While on however on the history of the development of
tour, its activity is coordinated by an Education science museums, natural history museums and
Assistant and he is supported by a technician and planetariums in India. Brief description of almost
a driver. all indoor galleries and outdoor expositions of
During the year 2013-14, twenty-one science museums and exhaustive list of exhibits
NCSM units operated twenty-three MSE buses (16 displayed therein have been furnished along with
units with 24 exhibits and 7 units with 20 exhibits) educational activities organized by these
on a wide range of topics on science and museums. In the case of planetariums, the present
technology. These museobuses covered a total study encompasses parameters like dome size,
distance of 48,050 kilo-meters in rural and projection equipment, number of seats, etc. The
suburban areas of the country and altogether held foot fall of visitors in these institutes has also been
exhibitions for 2583 days at 1179 sites. More than stated. In addition to that contribution of
19 lakh 75 thousand visitors witnessed such intellectuals, philanthropists, political leaders, and
exhibitions. That was not all, many of these MSE others in creating these institutions have been
described in the report.
units carried with them kits and gadgets to organise
some additional programmes like Science
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