SPS Museum Srinagar

After walking through the busy market of Lal Chowk in Srinagar, foot bridge over River Jhelum connects the Business hub to a Heritage site housing the 19th Century Museum named after a Dogra ruler - Maharaja Pratap Singh.
Standing on left banks of River Jhelum, Sri Pratap Singh Museum stores treasure of the past. As one enters the main gate, sight of lush green gardens complement the alluring old heritage complex of the museum on the left side. The high-ceilinged rooms welcome visitors with delicate murals, paintings and a repertoire of antique architectural and ornamental delights and that transports one to the mysterious tales of the antiquity. The meticulously designed colourful walls furnish an artistic grandeur to it.The horns of hunted animals decorated on the colourful Dogra Art walls can be seen telling the tales of bravery and splendor.
The proposal for Museum complex was made around 1889 AD, when a memorandum was submitted to the then Dogra ruler of the Jammu & Kashmir, Maharaja Pratap Singh, by his younger brother General Raja Amar Singh and a European scholar, Captain S.H. GodFerry, proposing to build a museum in Srinagar for exhibiting artifacts covering the region of Jammu, Kashmir, Baltistan and Gilgit.However the museum was thrown open for general public on 3rd March 1898. The museum is working under the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.
The Museum has recently been shifted to a new building, an interesting blend of modern and traditional architecture, designed to treasure all artifacts in their respective galleries according to the latest trends and technology. It is a grand four floor structure dedicated to preserve the history, art and culture of this rich region.It accommodates an inimitable collection which fall under following categories :

*Archeology gallery - consisting the collection right from 2nd century. It comprises of the most singular sculptures,terracotta and pottery excavations, bronze sculptures,metallic objects, clay images and much more.

*Decorative Art Gallery- holding the collection of various fields of the arts and crafts.It includes the paper machie, woodwork, metalwork, musical instruments, brass ornaments, leather, grass and willow work.

*Numismatic Gallery-This section forms the largest collection of museum containing rare gold, silver and copper coins of different periods.

*Arms and Armoury Gallery

*Manuscripts and Paintings Gallery

*Textile Gallery

*Natural History Gallery

*Jewellery Gallery

*Mineral /Mining Gallery 

Apart from the above galleries, the open air archeology gallery adds to the beauty of the complex.Due to the royal and ancient archaeological collections on display, Sri Pratap Singh museum, popularly known as SPS museum, remains one of the most visited places in Srinagar thronged by foreigners and locals alike.Apart from showcasing art, the purpose of SPS Museum is preservation of heritage, conservation of artificats; holding collections and mounting displays, creating knowledge for and about society, promoting economic growth through cultural and heritage tourism. It helps in facilitating the individual development through education and stimulation, skill development, promoting happiness and well-being and providing a forum for the engaged individuals to deliberate.

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