Watson Museum - The Largest and Oldest Museum in Rajkot

 

The Watson Museum, considered the oldest and best among the seven museums located across Saurashtra region managed by the Gujarat state Government. It holds invaluable articles, artifacts, photographs, a reference library and the museum's publication are sold through a counter. Museum has collections of precious objects from the princely State of Rajkot founded by the Jadeja Rajputs. 

 

 

The museum is set up in the Queen Victoria memorial institute buildings located in Jubilee Garden, Rajkot. The museum was named in fond memory of Colonel John Watson in 1888 who was a British political agent of Kathiawar Agency from 1881 to 1889. Colonel Watson was fond of history and archaeology and used to collect information on Rajkot. Most of his collections and other artifacts are preserved here. The museum building was completed in 1893 and opened to the public by Governor Lord George Harris of Bombay Presidency.

 

 

The Watson Museum exhibits copies of artifacts from Mohenjodaro, natural history, 13th century carvings, temple statues, costumes and design of the houses of the local tribal people. The Watson Museum also houses an excellent collection of traditional, archaeological items and coins. There is also an interesting collection of Indus Valley Civilization artifacts garnered from various sites around the Saurashtra region.

 

While the museum's archeology gallery also boasts of artifacts of prehistoric period and the Harappan civilization in the archeology gallery, a treasure of sculptures belonging to erstwhile Ghumali - a capital of Jethwa - grace the sculpture gallery.

 

The best time to visit Rajkot would be during the autumn and winter months from October to February. These months experiences a comparatively lower temperature and mild breezes, which would make vacationing experiences more pleasant than those during the scorching months of summer.

 

Rajkot is well connected by road to most of the major cities of Gujarat and other neighboring states. Rajkot is a junction on the Western Railway and Rajkot Airport is well connection with major cities in India. There are both bus and cab services available from the  Airport and Railway Station to the Watson Museum.

 

Timings : 9:00 AM to 12:45 PM, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Every Wednesday & 2nd and 4th Saturday Museum remain closed for visitors.

 

2-4 hours approx.

 

Standard Fee Rs 5 for Indians, Rs 2 for Indian Students and Rs 50 for foreign visitors.