Mahatma Phule Museum, Pune Overview

Situated on the Ghole Road, Shivaji Nagar in Pune, Mahatma Phule Museum was originally the residence of the Maratha social activist and a prominent promoter of women’s rights- Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. However, in 1890, the residence was transformed into a museum and was named Lord Ray Museum. An important tourist attraction in town, the museum boasts of artefacts and displays dating back to the bygone era in the fields of industrial, agricultural, handicrafts, textiles, geology, stone carvings, marble statues, arms, armory, seals etc. However, the highlight of the museum is the taxidermy of animals including elephants, sea fish etc. In addition to that, the museum also houses a library that boasts of a very rare and unique collection of books. Besides, the museum also conducts frequent shows, seminars, workshops and educative talks which are pretty popular among the people and attract a significant crowd.

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History of Mahatma Phule Museum

The museum was founded in 1890 at the residence of the great Maratha social activist Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. At the time of its inception, the museum was called Poona Industrial Museum which was later changed to Lord Ray Museum. After India attained independence in 1947, it was noticed that a majority of the museums in India were still under the control of the government. At that time, the English name of the museum was changed to Mahatma Phule Museum- after the 19th century reformer. And a Board of Trustees was founded to look after the day to day requirements of the museum.

Sections in Mahatma Phule Museum

The museum has been divided into several sections. The first one is dedicated to the study of pictures, charts, models, machines and science dummies. The exuberant and rare artefacts and exhibits are related to geology and minerals, handicrafts and cottage industries, armoury, industry and engineering, agriculture, forestry, and natural history etc. The armoury displays weapons and arms from the bygone Mughal and Maratha period. When you move further, there is another section that has exhibits on taxidermy of animals like elephants, birds, snakes, mammals, insects, fish etc. There is also an industrial section that has working models of hydro electric power generation, irrigation and refining methods and other forms of scientific agriculture etc. In addition to this, the museum also has a library that boasts of some very useful and rare books on a variety of subjects especially those on ancient technology and museology.

Trivia about Mahatma Phule Museum

The museum also produces a monthly journal by the name of Srishtidnyan. It is science themed magazine that deals with scientific developments and is meant to explain the complex processes in a layman language for the common men. Established in 1928, it is the pioneer Marathi popular science monthly. Very many scientists, experts and researchers contribute to the content of the magazine.