Patna Museum 🇮🇳

When you visit Patna Museum, known locally as the Jadu Ghar, you step into a historic institution housed in a striking two-storeyed building designed in Mughal and Rajput architectural styles. Founded in 1917 during the British Raj and opened at its current site on Budh Marg in 1929, this state museum offers a fascinating look into the region's cultural heritage.

While ancient artifacts prior to 1764 have been moved to nearby Bihar Museum, Patna Museum remains a captivating stop focused primarily on post-1764 history, alongside several unique treasure collections. As you explore its halls, you will discover a rich array of coins, textiles, bronze and terracotta sculptures, British-era paintings depicting daily life, personal artifacts from India's first president, Rajendra Prasad, and even a World War I cannon.

Do not miss the extraordinary tree fossil estimated to be over 200 million years old, or the famous relic casket unearthed at Vaishali containing the sacred ashes of Gautama Buddha. The museum also preserves 10,000 ancient manuscripts written in gold and silver on handmade paper, brought from Tibet by Rahul Sankrityayan, making it an essential destination for history enthusiasts.

What to see at Patna Museum

• A casket from Vaishali containing the sacred ashes of Gautama Buddha
• A tree fossil estimated to be more than 200 million years old
• 10,000 manuscripts written in gold and silver on handmade paper
• British-period paintings depicting daily life and Rajendra Prasad artifacts
• Mughal and Rajput architecture completed in 1928

Visiting tips

Note that artifacts from ancient India up to 1764 have been transferred to the Bihar Museum, so plan your itinerary to see both sites if you wish to view ancient collections like the Didarganj Yakshi.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Patna Museum is easy to reach on Patna’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Mahatma Gandhi Setu and Bihar Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Patna travel guide.