State Museum, Lucknow
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | January 11, 1989 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 60 p |
| Quantity | 1,500,000 |
| Perforation | Comb 14 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1201 Stamp Number IN 1259 Yvert et Tellier IN 1007 Stanley Gibbons IN 1356 |
| Themes | Animals (Fauna) | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Art | Gods and goddesses | Lions | Museums |
State Museum, Lucknow
Foundation and Evolution:
- Established: The State Museum, Lucknow, the oldest in the state of Uttar Pradesh, was established in 1863.
- Founding Vision: The idea was conceived by Col. Abbott, the then Commissioner of Lucknow Division, to create a repository of art and history specimens.
- Initial Location: It began modestly as a Municipal institution in Chhoti Chhatar Manzil.
- Provincial Museum: In 1883, it became a Provincial Museum and was shifted to the Lal Baradari in 1884.
Key Figures:
- First Curator: Dr. A.A. Fuhrer, a well-known archaeologist, became the first curator in March 1885.
- Prominent Indologists: The museum has seen contributions from noted Indologists such as R.D. Banerjee, Pandit Hiranand Shastri, Dr. V.S. Agarwal, Dr. Bhagawat Sharan Upadhyaya, and Prof. K.D. Bajpai in various capacities.
Development and Renaming:
- State Museum: In 1950, the Provincial Museum was redesignated as the State Museum, Lucknow.
- New Building: The new building to house the expanding collection was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963.
Collections:
- The Museum boasts a collection of about 83,000 specimens classified into:
- Archaeological Section
- Numismatic Section
- Art Section
- Natural History Section
- Ethnography Section
- Additional collections include:
- Ornaments
- Arms and armours
- Manuscripts and firmans
- Musical instruments
- Miscellaneous items
Acquisitions:
- The Museum acquires items through the purchase of antiquities, exploration, and finds under the Treasure Trove Act.
Presentation and Activities:
- Efforts have been made to present items in a lively, natural, and scientific manner.
- The Museum serves as a center for educational and cultural activities, organizing:
- Lectures
- Symposia
- Workshops
- Film shows
- Exhibitions highlighting Indian culture and archaeology
Research and Facilities:
- It is a research center for Kanpur University.
- The Museum houses a specialized reference library, well-equipped photographic and conservation laboratories for the treatment and restoration of art objects.
- It also has a modelling section to prepare replicas of selected pieces in plaster of Paris and fiberglass.
Commemoration:
- A stamp was issued by the Department of Posts on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the State Museum, Lucknow, celebrating its rich heritage and contribution to art, history, and culture.