Visiting the Prince of Wales Museum, now officially known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, was one of the real highlights of my time in Mumbai. The museum is housed in a magnificent Indo-Saracenic style building, completed in the early 20th century, and set within lush, well-tended gardens that provide a quiet refuge from the noise of the city. From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the sheer range and richness of the collections, which cover centuries of Indian history and culture. The galleries are carefully arranged and filled with objects that tell stories of ancient civilisations, dynasties, and everyday lives: intricately carved sculptures, delicate miniature paintings, rare textiles, and coins that trace the evolution of trade and kingdoms. There is also a fine display of decorative arts, including ceramics and weaponry, as well as fascinating exhibitions on natural history and archaeology. What made the experience even more engaging was the thoughtful curation, with clear explanations that allow visitors to connect the artefacts with the broader sweep of Indian and world history. Walking slowly through the halls, I felt a sense of time travel, each room offering another chapter of the subcontinent’s complex and layered heritage. The building itself is just as impressive as the exhibits, with its soaring dome, decorative balconies, and detailed stonework, making the museum both an architectural treasure and a cultural one. It is a place that invites you not only to look and admire but to pause, reflect, and appreciate how Mumbai’s history sits within the larger story of India’s past and present.
