As the shortest month of the year is nearly more than half way over I thought it is the perfect time to sit down and write up a short story as I having doing every month. There are a lot of places to write about from my travel experiences but I am choosing to share this month’s story about a small museum which I visited last year at Kolkata in the state of West Bengal, India.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal is known for many its many cultural sights and museums but this is a unique one in the heart of the city just off Dalhousie Square. Last year while I was out on some personal work in the area and as I was walking down Council House Street just out of curiosity I walked into the Reserve Bank of India Museum. I was aware of this museum for some time but never quite made it to visit the place.
The Reserve Bank of India Museum located at 8 Council House Street is housed in a red brick building. India’s Reserve Bank started its operation in 1935 from Kolkata and it is this very same building where the museum is housed today which used to be the Bank’s first Central Office.
The museum showcases the history of the bank, the story of money and its role in the economy. It has display of many artefacts related with the monetary world.
One of the exhibits is related to the role of gold and why it still holds such an important place in the world economy. A section of the display includes models working in a gold vault and there is even a replica of a 12.5 kgs gold bar which can be lifted to feel its weight and texture.
I would like to mention here that I had the opportunity to lift a real gold bar in the Bank of England Museum in London.
In the central hall of the museum is a 13 ft high sculpture which looks like a huge bundle of currency notes flowing on its sides portrays the evolution of money. There is also a 7 ft Yap stone, whale tooth, salt and various other items used in the old days as means for bartering.
A section in the museum displays various types of locks starting from British brands to ones designed and manufactured in India. Another interesting exhibit is a weighing scale when I could stand and my weight was displayed in terms of gold. It gave a literal meaning to the phrase (worth) your weight in gold.
The modern section of the museum have information on India’s technological advancement in the digital payment systems. Many interactive displays and videos help to understand the history of the world of banking.
A Buddha head sculpture made using shredded currency notes can be seen in the main entrance hall area of the museum. In the same area there is also a column covered in a beautiful design made using coins. The main door inside the museum to enter the exhibit area has the design of a one Rupee coin.
HELPFUL HINTS
- There is no charge for admission to the museum. You can just walk-in and if in a group, you can pre-book your visit.
- Photos are permitted but video recordings are not allowed.
- The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 5 pm excluding national holidays.
- The museum Souvenir shop sells items made out of shredded notes and coins bearing the museum logo.
- Group visits can also be arranged by contacting the museum directly.
- You can find more information about the museum here.
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