Madhya Pradesh, “The Tiger State of India”, is renowned for its rich cultural legacy and historical significance. This state has a diverse collection of antique museums, historical temples, national parks, beautiful water bodies, and dense greenery. One of those famous museums nestled in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum offers a unique glimpse of the region’s past culture, history, and art. The city is home to several famous museums depicting the vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning architecture of the ruling dynasties. Madhya Pradesh is also considered the “heart of India” not because it is centrally located but because it depicts the cultural, historical, and natural styles of dynasties and the sheer antiquity of this land. In this blog, we’ll explore one of the antique museums built by the old dynasties and explore the galleries of ancient art and historical artefacts.
About Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum
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The Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum, also known as the Dhubela Museum, has antique collections of ancient artefacts collected from the extensive Bundelkhand region. This museum is built on an Islamic palace fort and is now used as an open-air gallery. In this museum, you can find 8 exhibition galleries, such as the Lalitkala Gallery, Jaina Gallery, Painting Gallery, Arms & Weapon Gallery, Inscriptions Gallery, Saiva & Shakta Gallery, Vaishnava Gallery, and Open-air display. The museum is about 16 kilometres from Chattarpur town and on the Chhatarpur-Nowgong Highway.
Each gallery in the museum depicts different exhibitions, such as two galleries displaying images of the Kalchuri and Gupta periods, Sati Pillars and Copper Plates, etc. The exhibits help tourists learn more about the great history of Baghelkhand and the Bundelkhand region. Tourists can see the inscriptions from the 4th to the 18th century, designed on pillars or Supia rock. For history lovers, the museum also offers a library with 2300 books on history and archaeology.
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History Of Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum
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Near Chattarpur in Madhya Pradesh, there is a small place named Dhubela that was once the residence of the “Lion of Bundelkhand” Maharaja Chhatrasal, a brave warrior and ruler of Bundelkhand who bravely fought against the army of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The history of Dhubela came into the spotlight when the Chhatrasal Bundela declared independence, built his kingdom around Dhubela, and started reigning in Bundelkhand for nearly a century. That place in Dhubela is now transformed into a historical museum named “Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum”. Along with this, Dhubela also has several other historic places that make it an ideal spot for tourists who want to know more about the history of Bundelkhand.
Galleries of Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum
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The museum has eight galleries depicting exhibits of the rich history and culture of the Bundelkhand region and dynasties. Some of those galleries are:
Jaina Gallery: In the Jaina Gallery, tourists can witness the Chandela and Kalchuri periods of sculptures and artefacts that were collected from the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand dynasties. It includes Adinatha, Shantinatha, and Tirthankara.
Saiva & Shakta Gallery: As the name suggests, in Saiva & Shakta Gallery, tourists can see the sculptures of Shiva Linga, Bhairava, Kartikeya, Nandi, Ravana-Anuradha, etc., as the images of Yogini, representing the Shakta Cult.
Lalitkala Gallery: At the Lalitkala Gallery, tourists can find various artisanal crafts, such as terracotta, metal art items, mood, ivory, etc., that show the skill of traditional artistry.
Vaishnava Gallery: This gallery depicts the sculptures of Lord Vishnu, Vamana, Surya, Parashurama, and Hari Hara Pitamaha.
Arms & Weapon Gallery: In this gallery, tourists can witness the arms and weapons collected from Chattarpur, Panna, Chakhari, Rewa, etc. They include spears, axes, bows and arrows, khadags, swords, shields, and more.
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Nearby Attractions From Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum
There are a multitude of places near Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum that are worth visiting. Some of the best tourist attractions near Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum are mentioned below:
1. Mastani Mahal
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Mastani Mahal was located initially in Pune on the premises of the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, which holds artefacts collected from the palace of Kothrud built by Bajirao for his beloved Mastani Bai. But there is another Mastani Mahal in Dhubela that Maharaja Chhatrasal built for his beloved daughter Mastani. The Mahal is a two-story building with simple architecture and a central courtyard of rooms. However, the Mastani Mahal is in disrepair, as it is located on the same site as the Chhatrasal Museum, and tourists can explore it by clicking pictures and shooting videos.
Distance From Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum: 270 m
Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
2. Cenotaphs of Kamalapati
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Kamalapati was the first wife and queen of Maharaja Chhatrasal, and her cenotaph was built near the hill. The Cenotaph is an octagonal structure with a central crown and is the best example of the Bundelkhand architectural style. Tourists can witness about 180 fresco paintings in the cenotaph. Also, it offers a fantastic view of the surroundings from the top.
Distance From Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum: 950 m
Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
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3. Sheetal Garhi
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Sheetal Garhi is a fort built by Deewan Keerat Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Chhatrasal. This fort was built as a summer escape that absorbed the sun’s heat and kept the temperature cool. It is also believed that these forts were built for security and surveillance, as they were located on the upper level and offered a bird’ s-eye view of all the surroundings.
Distance From Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum: 2.0 Km
Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
Timings And Entry Fee
The Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum is open from 10 AM until 5 PM on all days of the week except Mondays and public holidays. Tourists can visit during these hours to witness the rich history and cultural significance of one of the renowned destinations in Dhubela. The entry fee for this historical museum is Rs 20 for Indians above 15 years old and Rs 400 for foreigners. Photography or videography is also allowed in the museum, with a charge of Rs 250 for photography and Rs 400 for videography. Tourists can explore the museum in two to three hours, depending on their pace and interest. Tourists can purchase the tickets at the entrance of the museum.
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Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum is one of the top tourist attractions for exploring the rich cultural heritage of Dhubela, Madhya Pradesh. The museum has exhibits, including antique artefacts, arts, and weapons. The museum offers a fantastic collection of art, history, and culture. Tourists can experience the splendour and glory of Indian royalty and also learn about their exciting stories and legends. So, plan your trip to Madhya Pradesh
with our guiding tour packages to explore the breathtaking architecture and artefacts.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum
What is Dhubela famous for?
Dhubela is famous for the palace of Maharaja Chhatrasal, which was converted into the Dhubela Museum, which has antique collections of ancient artefacts that were collected from the extensive Bundelkhand region.
Did Maharaja Chhatrasal defeat Aurangzeb?
In 1700, Maharaja Chhatrasal defeated Aurangzeb every time during the series of attempts to subdue the king and ruled over some time on Bundelkhand.
Who was the daughter of King Chhatrasal?
Mastani is a beloved daughter of King Chhatrassal, for whom Maharaja Chhatrasal built another Mastani Mahal in Dhubela. The Mahal is a two-story building with simple architecture and a central courtyard of rooms.
What are the timings of the Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum?
The Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum is open from 10 AM until 5 PM on all days of the week except Mondays and public holidays. Tourists can visit during these hours to witness the rich history and cultural significance of Dhubela.
What is the entry fee for the Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum?
The entry fee for this historical museum is Rs 20 for Indians above 15 years old and Rs 400 for foreigners, and photography or videography is also allowed in the museum with a charge of Rs 250 for photography and Rs 400 for videography.
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