MUSEUMS PAKISTAN
Bahawalpur Museum
Bahawalpur has a modest museum having a fine collection of coins, medals, postage stamps of former State of Bahawalpur, manuscripts, documents, inscriptions, wood carvings, camel skin paintings, historical models and stone carving etc. of Islamic and pre-Islamic period. There is a complete set of medals of all classes issued by the ex-state to its military officers/civilians and to other important citizens of the ex-State.
National Museum of Pakistan
National Museum of Pakistan was constructed by Public Works Department in 1960. It started functioning in 1970. The main objectives of the Museum are preservation of national cultural heritage, education, research and dissemination of information to general public. The Museum covers Archaeology, Ethnology, numismatics, Islamic calligraphy and struggle for Pakistan. The museum also provides facilities of library, cafeteria along with a small shop where models and replicas. Museum collection dates back to two million years B.C. and it covers the history of Pakistan from 7000 B.C upto modern times.
National Museum of Science & Technology
The National Museum of Science & Technology, Lahore was notified to be established by the Federal Ministry of Education in 1965 and it opened to public in 1976. The main purpose of the Museum is to act as a center for the promotion of science through non formal means, i.e. to promote the scientific interests of the people as well as general public.
PAF Museum
PAF Museum, Karachi is an Air Force museum and park situated between PAF Base Faisal and Awami Markaz on main Shahra-e-Faisal at Karachi, Pakistan. The museum is open throughout the year for seven days a week. Pakistan Air Force Museum is known for its well organized displays, rides and greenery. The main museum is located inside the park and features all major fighter aircraft that have been used by the Pakistan Air Force are on display. The museum houses the aircraft used by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan.
Pakistan Maritime Museum
Pakistan Maritime Museum is a naval museum and park located in naval estate at Habib Ebrahim Rehmatoola Road, in Karachi, Pakistan. The main museum building is located inside the park. It comprises six galleries and an auditorium. The museum is based on modern concepts of presentation and interactive education. Different artifacts of maritime and naval heritage have been incorporated through attractive dioramas, relief sculpture, murals and miniature paintings, touch screen computers, taxidermy and ancient weapons.
Peshawar Museum
The Peshawar Museum is a Museum situated in the historic city of Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Peshawar Museum has the largest collection of Gandhara Greco-Buddhist art in the world. In total, there are 4247 Gandahara pieces including Buddhist stone sculptures and panels, stucco sculptures, terracotta figurines, relic caskets and toiletry objects.
Lahore Museum
Lahore Museum was established in 1894 in Lahore. It is situated on the Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam which opposite the University Hall. Lahore Museum a Mughal style building is one of the important and major Museums of South Asia. The museum contains some fine specimens of Mughal and Sikh doorways, wood work, a large collection of musical instruments, ancient jewellery, textile, pottery, and armory. The museum has a number of objectives of Greco-Buddhist Sculptures. The fasting Buddha is one of the unique collections of the museum.
Archaeological Museum Banbhore
Archaeological Museum Banbhore was constructed under the supervision of government of Pakistan and it was designed by the Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Pakistan. Its cost of construction was Rs. 150.000. Its foundation stone was laid on 21st August 1960 and it was inaugurated on 14th May, 1967. It is made in a style of an oblong hall (a little curve to southern side) measuring 99 feet, East-West having 14 feet width, verandah 7? feet on the southern side. Two entrance doors on southern and northern side. The main objective of the Museum is to provide information about the Early Muslim culture in the subcontinent. The museum consists of sysho-parthian, sassanians, Hindus and Muslim Period objects, especially the Muslim period pottery e.g. sgraffiato, celadon, white-paste, glazed etc.
Bhitshah Cultural Museum
The Department accords prime portance to the Bhitshah Cultural Complex, which is probably the finest its kind in the country with a museum,library and open air auditorium. Efforts are afoot to have flora of Risalo grown in historic Kirar Lake, Malakhra Stadium and theShah Jo bagh.
Pakistan Museum of Natural History
Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) Islamabad, was established in 1976, under Science Foundation (Ministry of Science and Technology Govt of Pakistan). the Museum has four Divisions, namely, Botanical, Zoological, Earth Sciences and Public Services. The first three divisions are engaged in the collection, identification and research activities related to plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals resources of Pakistan.
Taxila Museum
Taxila is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Taxila museum is located 35km from Islamabad on GT. Road to Peshawar. Most of the famous work of Gandhara art is in Taxila Museum. The history of the sites at Taxila are dating back to 600BC to 500BC, are located around the Taxila Museum. Taxila was the centre of learning and Gandhara art. Taxila Museum is the ideal place for the tourists to get some information about the archaeological significance of the place. The Museum depicts all important aspects of daily life of the inhabitant of ancient Taxila. Taxila Museum is considered one of the best and well maintained museums of Pakistan. In summer the museum is open for the visitors from 8:30-am to5:30-pm and 9:00-am to 4:00-pm in winter. It provides facilities like rest house, tourist information centre, and the PTDC motel for the visitors.
Archaeological Museum, HARAPPA
The main objective of the Museum is to educate the people. The Museum displays the Archaeological Material from excavations. Museum also provides library facility for the people. It also has a Mosque and a cafeteria. Guide facilities are also provided by the Museum. There is also a public toilet and a Gander.
ALLAMA IQBAL MUSEUM, LAHORE
The Historical period covered by the Museum is from 1877 to 1938. The major source of attraction in this Museum are Iqbal's hand written drafts of his works, certificates and degrees. There are about six hundred objects in the Museum and all these are donated by Dr. Javed Iqbal, son of Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Around 30 visitors come to the Museum daily.
Archaeological Museum Moenjodaro
Archaeological site Museum Moenjodaro was constructed by Department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan. It was designed by French Architect Mons M. Fedehoro. First floor is resting on burnt bricks columns with R.C. beam and slab at ground floor. This Museum was established on march 16th 1960, and started functioning on 20th January, 1967. The main objective the Museum is to perceive the cultural antiquities of pro to historic, the indus/civilization.
SIBI MUSEUM
It was converted into museum in February, 1987. There are three main galleries in the Museum. The first gallery displays the photographs and sayings of Quaid-e-Azam. The second gallery consists of the Archaeological material like pottery, stone tools, human and animal figurines, terracotta toys, bronze objects and the third gallery consists of ethnological materials like costumes, Balochi embroidery, jewelery and old weapons.
QUAID-E-AZAM HOUSE MUSEUM
Quaid-e-Azam House museum is located in a building constructed in the 19th century. The Museum was started in 1993. The main objective of the Museum is to display the personal belonging of the Father of nation and let people learn about his life. For this purpose guide facilities are available. There are nine rooms (Ground and first floor) in the Museum. In all these rooms belongings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Miss Fatima Jinnah are displayed. The objects/articles belonging to Quaid-e-Azam are those which he used during his life time (1876-1948).
Quaid-e-Azam Birth place Museum
Quaid-e-Azam Birth place museum was constructed by the department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan. This museum was established on August 13th 1953. The admission is tree. Articles associated with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah are preserved in the Museum. This Museum is the Birth place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Museum provides guide facilities as well as the facility of a library. The museum is divided into two galleries and in both the galleries personal belongings of the Father of the Nation are preserved. There are around 81 objects and 684 law books. Around 250 visitors come to the Museum daily. The Museum is open to public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Museum Lahore
Fort Museum is divided into three sections in three different areas of the fort. The first Gallery is Mughal Gallery. It was constructed by the Emperor Jahangir. Its a Mughal style building known as Dalan-e-Sang-a-Surkh. The objective of the Mughal Gallery is educate people about the life of Mughals. It consists of antiquities relating to Mughal period (paintings, coins Manuscripts and a nodel of the Taj Mahal. There are around 324 priceless antiquities on display, in this Gallery. This Museum also provides Guide facilities and library facilities. The second Gallery is Sikh gallery. This was constructed by Ranjit Singh coveres the Sikh period. The third Gallery is the Armoury Gallery. It was also constructed by the Emperor Jahangir.
Archaeological Museum Umerkot
Archaeological Museum Umerkot was designed and constructed by the department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan. The whole Museum is situated in one single Hall. This Museum was established on 24th February 1968. The Museum consists of Manuscripts, specimens of calligraphy, Mughal Miniature Paintings, Royal documents, coins and Armoury. Umerkot is Known in history for being the birth place of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. It was because of its affinity to that Muslim emperor that the Department of Archaeology, selected the place to display the relics relating to Akber and his period. There are around 480 objects on display in this Museum, which are mainly donated by Lahore fort Museum and Karachi national Museum.
Archaeological Museum Swat
Archaeological Museum Swat was constructed by Miangul Abdul Haq (ex-ruler of Swat). It was established in 1963. The main objective of the Museum is to preserve and display the cultural heritage of Pakistan,to educate the people about the past and to look after the archaeological sites and remains. Swat Museum also provides the facility of a library and audio visual aids. There is a well equipped auditorium which consists of a T.V, a V.C.R and a projector with a screen. It has a capacity of 32 seats. There are seven Galleries in the Swat Museum. There is a main entrance or reception Hall between the Galleries.
Lok Versa Museum and Heritage Library
The Lok Versa Museum located near Shakarparian Hills, works to preserve the living folk and traditional culture of Pakistan. This Folk Heritage Museum has a large display of customs, jewellery, wood work, metal work, ivory and bone work. Traditional architecture facades exhibiting skills such as frescio, mirror work, marble inlay and stucco are also displayed. Lok Versa Heritage library is equipped with recourses data on Ethnography, Anthropology, Folk music, art, History and crafts. Books on culture, Heritage, audio and Video cassettes of Folk and classical vocal and instrumental music are available for sale at Lok Versa's sales centre.
Army Museum
The Army Museum, near the Pearl Continental Hotel, houses a fine collection of weapons, uniforms and paintings depicting Pakistan's military history. Hours are 9 am to 3 pm in winter, 8 am to noon and 5.30 pm to 7 pm in summer.
Chakdara Museum
Chakdara is an important town of Dir, located on the bank of Swat river. It is about 130 km away from Peshawar and 48 km away from Saidu Sharif. The Chakdara Museum is situated about one km from the fort. It has an excellent collection of Buddhist Gandhara Art, from first to seventh century AD. It helps people to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Multan Museum
The Multan Museum located in Multan, Pakistan contains a fine collection of coins, medals, postage stamps of the former State of Bahawalpur, manuscripts, documented inscriptions, wood carvings, camel-skin paintings, historical models and stone carvings of the Islamic and Pre-Islamic periods.
Iqbal Manzil
Iqbal Manzil is the birth place of famous poet Dr Muhammad Iqbal in the centre of the historic city of Sialkot. It has been converted in to a museum cum library. Iqbal Manzil was purchased in 1861 by Mohammad Rafique, the grandfather of Dr Mohammed Iqbal. The house was originally very small, but each successor kept adding to it and the building grew in size. After the death of his father, Iqbal named his elder brother, Ata Mohammad, the owner of the house. Ata Mohammed left two sons after his death who left the house and took up residences in Karachi and Lahore.
Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum
Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum is located at Golra junction railway station near Islamabad, some 1,994 feet above sea level, in the southeast of the Margalla Hills and east of the cradle of Gandhara civilization, the ancient city of Taxila. In the museum hall, there are rare items on display including watches, pendulums, kerosene tilly-lamps, gate signal lamps, crockery, fans, arms and ammunition, surgical items used at railway hospitals, a 1904 hand pump, long armed chairs used in waiting rooms and Dak bungalows, a Railway time table of 1943 and historic photographs. Items on display outside the museum include a hand pump of 1901, and a ‘Heritage Special Train’, driven by an ancient steam engine accompanied by passenger coaches.
