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

History

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. Watson Museum is the second most important museum in Gujarat, after the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Museum of Baroda and is the oldest museum in Saurashtra (region). 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 George Harris, 4th Baron Harris, 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. While the museum's archeology gallery also boasts of artifacts of prehistoric period and the Indus Valley Civilization, Harappan civilization in the archeology gallery, a treasure of sculptures belonging to erstwhile Ghumali - a capital of Jethwa - grace the sculpture gallery.

Sections

* Sculptures * Paintings and Manuscripts * Textile * Inscription * Coins Gets Rare Coins
, Retrieved on 11 January 2008 * Anthropology * Folk Embroidery * Handicraft * Musical Instruments * Wood Work * Natural History * Rocks and Minerals

Annual events

# Bhartiya Shilp Samruddhi : It is week-long celebration organized every year in the second week of January.

References

{{clear Rajkot Museums in Gujarat Art museums and galleries in India Museums established in 1893 1893 establishments in India Decorative arts museums in India Buildings and structures in Rajkot Tourist attractions in Rajkot district