I was awakened early in the morning by what I thought was a bird singing. It was only when I saw my friend getting up to switch off the alarm on her phone that I realised it was time to get up. I checked the time. . . .It was 7 AM. . . . and we had settled down to meet our parents at 9:15 AM. Gleamy eyed I woke up , took a bath and got ready.
“British Museum dekhtei ekta puro din lagbe . . .Bujhli. . . .Okhane ato kichu dekhar ache je ekbar giye dekhe utthe para jai na” (It will take one full day to visit the British Museum. There is so much to see that one day is also not enough), I was told repeatedly by my father who had been to London and the Museum before but was still fascinated every time he went. This got me excited to see the museum.
Interestingly, on normal days I take the liberty to stretch the time but that day, I was spot on time. 9:15 AM it was and my mother’s phone rang to inform her of our arrival. We took sometime off from the prepared schedule and booked tickets to Madame Tussaud’s for the following day before hitting the roads. After taking a bus, walking for sometime , asking few people around and spotting a gothic looking building which (in my opinion was the museum); we finally found the museum. . . . . .Well one of the entrances of the museum. .
According to the http://www.britishmuseum.org ” The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. From the beginning it granted free admission to all ‘studious and curious persons’. Visitor numbers have grown from around 5,000 a year in the eighteenth century to nearly 6 million today.” . . . .It further states that ” The origins of the British Museum lie in the will of the physician, naturalist and collector, Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753). Over his lifetime, Sloane collected more than 71,000 objects which he wanted to be preserved intact after his death. So he bequeathed the whole collection to King George II for the nation in return for a payment of £20,000 to his heirs. The gift was accepted and on 7 June 1753, an Act of Parliament established the British Museum.“
After going through a mandatory bag checking and climbing a flight of stairs which reminded me of the Titanic stairs, I chanced upon this. This beautiful dragon tiles was so elaborately and intricately designed. It gives the perfect charm and effect of the Chinese culture; properly preserved centuries after it was actually made.
I next entered the Afrikaans Gallery which had objects curated from various parts of Africa. This gallery does not have the Egyptian displays as a separate gallery is dedicated to it.
These idols from the display in the African Gallery reflected the tribal culture and handiwork very closely.
Pots. . . Jugs. . . Jars. . . however you name them the objective of these items were the same . . . almost. But their look and design were so different from each other.
This fish sculpture resembled the flying fish so closely.
The Brasscasting section was given a separate space in the museum display. According to the http://www.zyama.com, “The art of bronze casting was introduced around the year 1280. The kingdom reached its maximum size and artistic splendor in the 15th and 16th century. For a long time the Benin bronze sculptures were the only historical evidence dating back several centuries into the West African past, and both the level of technical accomplishment attained in bronze casting, as well as the monumental vigor of the figures represented, were the object of great admiration.” Similarly, “The numerous commemorative brass heads, free-standing figures and groups, plaques in relief, bells and rattle-staffs, small expressive masks and plaquettes worn on the belt as emblem of offices; chests in the shape of palaces, animals, cult stands, jewelry, etc. cast by Benin metalworkers were created for the royal palace.” This is how brasscasting came into existence.
One glance at the sculpture and you will notice that it is a chair which is nothing unusual. But on a closer look you would find that this chair if made of rifles .
I remember reading about the Inca civilisation in the South Americas for the first time in Tintin and the Prisoners of the Sun. The second time they came up was in the British Museum. According to the Ancient History Encyclopaedia, “The Inca civilization flourished in ancient Peru between c. 1400 and 1533 CE, and their empire eventually extended across western South America from Quito in the north to Santiago in the south, making it the largest empire ever seen in the Americas and the largest in the world at that time.” The civilisation was “Famed for their unique art and architecture, they constructed finely built and imposing buildings wherever they conquered, and their spectacular adaptation of natural landscapes with terracing, highways, and mountaintop settlements continues to impress modern visitors at such world-famous sites as Machu Picchu.” Regarding the downfall of the civilisation, it has been said that , ” It was this combination of factors – a perfect storm of rebellion, disease, and invasion – which brought the downfall of the mighty Inca Empire, the largest and richest ever seen in the Americas. The Inca language Quechua lives on today and is still spoken by some eight million people. There are also a good number of buildings, artefacts, and written accounts which have survived the ravages of conquerors, looters, and time.”
Our next destination in the museum was the Great reading room. It had a long passage in the centre with seats to sit . There were sculptures, bust figures, and displays on both side of the path. Running the entire length of the hall on each side were shelves containing books, scriptures or artefacts. It would probably be a 0.3 mile walk from one end of the room to the other. In fact, I remember that standing at the entrance I could not see the exit on the other end.
There were various displays in the Reading Room, From Ptolemy to Cupids and Rosetta Stone but what caught my attention the most was the beautiful sculptures of Lord Krishna from Hindu Mythology.
This sculpture was at the entrance of an amazing gallery. immediately it reminded me of Indian women. Women sitting in front of their doorsteps and making rangoli (patterned designs with colours ) during festivals; women giving alpana (patterned designs made of fabric colors or rice paste) ; Women in helplessness and it would have gone on and on if someone hadn’t bumped into me by mistake and reminded me of the time. I chose to come out of my dreamland and move on further inside the gallery.
The objects on display were beautifully made and intricate details were carved to perfection. I need not say anything more; the photos will talk for themselves.
- After seeing the gallery we found ourselves on the portico. This place had the museum shops along with restaurants. A flight of stairs led the visitors to another gallery, this time my favourite-The Egyptian Gallery. Below is a photograph from the portico to the roof of the library. this place has been previously photographed by many in colour and B&W; I tried to follow in their footsteps.
For some strange reason, mummies have attracted me since I was a child. Well, this is not a mummy but a pharaoh would do as well. I usually avoid putting in my photos in the post; but I could not but put this one.
Our last stop was the museum gift shop. As usual postcards was what I ran after. I also saw this huge teddy who probably had ‘eaten’ lots of other smaller teddies. Thus a photo with him was a must.
And lastly, I leave you with a collage of some other displays from the museum. But my adventures are far from over. . . Do come back next week for an exciting adventure ahead.
Some useful information:
Address: 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB
Opening Times: Mon-Thurs (9:30 AM- 8 PM)
Fri- (9:30 AM- 6 PM)
Sat- (9:30 AM- 5 PM)
Sun- (11 AM- 5 PM)
Entry Free
Website: http://www.bl.uk/
by Subhadrika Sen 
I am sad that after living in the UK 2 years I never got this museum to see all these rare artifacts for myself and for FREE no doubt. I got to the V&A and Natural History and wish now this one made it on my list. I have something more to see if I go back!
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Well thats one reason why you should return to London again. 🙂
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British Museum reminds me of Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. that I recently visited! There are so many interesting things to learn and explore about history from these museums!
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Yes. Smithsonian is an amazing museum. My father has been there but I have not. I have heard many stories about it from him.
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Indeed so much to see and not just see but read and understand, how can one day suffice!
Most museums of Europe are like that.
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I totally agree. 🙂
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The best part of the museum is that it is free and yes… Like your relatives said… One full day is required. I loved their Egyptian section, the mummy, the shabtis… Was fun seeing them all. Glad you too had a lovely time.
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Yes I completely agree. I love the Egyptian sections in any museum. They are my favourites apart from the taxidermic animals.
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Wow such unique works of art! I’m bummed I didn’t have more time to get culturally immersed while in the UK.
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I hope next time you get to see the museum. 🙂
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Wow this is absolutely such a beautiful place! Love that you bought more attention to the art and culture scene with your post! 🙂
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Thank You. 🙂 Glad you liked it.
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I love the British museum and have visited several times. I could go several times more each display so interesting. Love the huge teddy who ate all the bears lol.
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Hehe. I think it would be too cruel to say that such a huge cute teddy ‘ate ‘ the little ones. 😛
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Love your photos and all the details about the museum you’ve shared! My time in London was very limited when I visited the UK, so I had to skip the British Museum. I really hope I can go back for a proper visit though.
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I hope you get to see it once on your next visit.
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The museum itself sounds amazing but that gift shop? I love the giant teddy bear! It’s so cute and cheeky!
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Hehe. Yes. apart from the museum i love that bear. Only Wish I could have taken it along with me.
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Mr. Big Bear looks so cute! Do they sell those small bears as souvenirs?
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Yes. I wanted one but then realised I have too many already 😛
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I haven’t been in the UK, I’ve read quite a lot of its history and I’m dying to go! Just can’t find the best time yet. Surely I will raid every museums and castle there! lol!
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Youll have a great journey and time in the UK. Hope you come down soon.
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Looks like an amazing educational experience! It reminds me very much of the ROM in Toronto.
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I am yet to see the ROM but hope to see it someday.
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I remember my visit, I was amazed at how extensive it is! I couldn’t finish it in time so I’ll probably be dropping by again when I’m there 🙂
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Hehe 🙂
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It’s like I was there! great pictures portraying the museum…. and … THE BIG BEAR ❤ I want one!
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Thanks. Glad you liked it. 🙂 I want that bear too. . .:P
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This is one of my favorite places in London. You get to see the world all in one place. Britain brought so many treasures home when they were the rulers of the world. Another great place across the street and a block down from the main entrance is the best Thai food I have ever eaten outside of Thailand.
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Oh if only i had known about the Thai eatery before, then I wouldnt have wasted a lot of time trying to find a place to eat food. We got lost in the process and wasted a lot of time.
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I was lucky enough to live in London, so I would visit the British Museum at least once a month! The collection is so massive, they actually rotate which pieces are on display. They also feature collections from other museums on loan. The British Museum is truly a national treasure!
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Oh i didnt know about this rotational display. This only adds more worth to the fact that it has so many exhibits. I loved the museum and would be willing to go back once again. 🙂
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Someone was just telling me about this museum and was surprised that I hadn’t been when I was in London. It sounds like I really missed out! I love all the sculptures!
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Yes, the sculptures are great. well I hope you on your next visit to London you might want to check out this museum. 🙂
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How lovely! Such a spectacular overview. It’s crazy to think that just this museum alone is older than the United States lol.
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Yes, this museum is way old and way huge. Its impossible to see it in a day.
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Stunning – Still one of the best museums I have ever been to and I m glad Im not the only one who thinks its AMAZING!!! Have to go back sometime soon!
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Yes. The British Museum is just GREAT!
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Your father is correct, you can easily return again and again to the British Museum!
Every time I’ve visited the city, I’ve found myself there at some time.
It is the perfect way to lose a day, especially if weather is a little miserable!!
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Yes, I agree. 🙂
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What an amazing history museum! I’d love to walk inside and spend hours exploring its rich History. Those dragons remind me ‘Game of thrones’! Thanks for sharing this post with us!
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Hehe. you might want to sit down before i say I have never watched Game of Thrones. Not even one single episode. Having said that, 😛 british Museum is huge. And if you are interested in history, then this is the perfect place for you. But you wont find animal skeletons here, thats kept in the Science Museum.
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I really admire that Dragon tiles from the Ming Dynasty, so royal and very precious. It is good that taking photos inside the museum are allowed. Thanks for sharing!
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In the UK I have seen taking photographs is allowed everywhere . Though not with flash for understandable reasons. This means it gets easier to photograph museums and its artefacts .
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The famed British museum – such a cool place. I am a fan of museums and it would be the ultimate goal for me to visit this place someday.
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Yes its amazing. you should visit it once if possible. 🙂
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I haven’t been to British Museum but I’d love to go there one day! I really like to spend my time in museums, it’s always a great opportunity to learn something new.
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Yes. I quite agree with you. I have visited many museums but this one is the best amongst them all.
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One of my cousins in London always praised British musuem. Dragon tiles are beautiful and those displays with intricate designs looks gorgeous. Thing which surprised me was idol of Lord Krishna. I wonder how did they get it there 😊
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Oh that was only one of the whole lot. There is an entire section dedicated to Hindu scriptures and Gods and Goddesses especially Krishna in the Reading room
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Great photos! I especially like the Dragon Tiles. The British Museum is one of my favorite museums in the world. I actually went two times the last time I was in London. And the Reading Room is my favorite part!
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The Reading Room is like a maze. You stand at one entrance and voila you have no clue where the exit is. . .
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The British Museum is a fantastic place and you have documented all this in a great way. I think it needs several visits for different sections of the museum to really get the most out of it. Of course, on holiday this may not be possible but it is a must see!
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Yes. I completely agree with you. 🙂
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The museum seems to be treasure house of ancient history and culture from different parts of the world. The exhibits are rare and fascinating. I agree a day may not be enough to really do justice to the museum and experience all the exhibits.
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Yes. Cause If you are really interested to know the history and everything then you might need several visits.
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I haven’t been to the British Museum and admittedly I don’t know much about it, so I was surprised to see some Asian artifacts in there. 🙂 Wow would like to visit and see all the vast collections in there.
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Well if you can do try and visit it once. there are artifacts from every corner of the world . New . .. Old. . . Centuries old. . . .the Reading Room especially is huge. You stand at the entrance and cant see the exit 😛 It has books, artefacts, curations etc etc.
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When I travel, I always love to visit museums and galleries! Will be adding the British museum to my list!
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Great 🙂 But keep one whole day aside if you like to see everything. But if you want to scan through, then half a day would still be needed 🙂
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I’m a sucker for History Museum. I can lost myself in the Louvres and Le Grand Palais for hours. I have my favorite and it may be the MET, because there’s nothing quite remarquable as such place! Tho, I’ve never set foot at the British Museum, your photos and the especially the Egyptian exhibit makes me want to go up there!
http://tomboychronicle.com/
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Oh and how I wish I could see the Louvre. . . .
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As an historian, I am crying a little that I didn’t get to see all these amazing pieces. Baby was too loud after dinosaurs to see the rest.
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Oh! I remember I was scared of dinos went i went to a science museum in Calcutta once. But, with time I have moved over dinos and now i love them.
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The British Museum is AMAZING!! The collection is vast and wonderful. I can spend hours there.
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Yes. I thought ill do a quick scan cause i was pressed for time. But My quick scan only lasted for an hour and a half to two full hours.
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The riffles chair is really something unique. I enjoy visiting museum, so British Museum is one of the Museum I’d like to visit. I enjoy reading this post as you put the explanation about what you’ve showed on your photos.
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Thanks. I couldnt incorporate all, but I try and explain whatever little I incorporate in the post through pictures and a discussion . 🙂 Glad you liked it. thanks For stopping by.
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I love the British Museum 🙂 I had no idea it was as old as 1753 though! The ancient Egyptian sections are my favourite.
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My fav too. for some reason since childhood ancient Egyptian history its aura and charm; itys mysteries and legends have attracted me too. In India (where I come from) there is only one mummy in the Indian Museum; but the British Museum had way too many of them. 🙂
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Sometimes it’s good to wake up early 🙂 I haven’t been to the British Museum for ages. Definitely should pay a new visit there as soon as possible and check all those (or at least half :)) great points you introduced. Thanks!
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I love visiting museums, hopefully when I visit London I’ll have the pleasure to visit it.
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Yes. You must visit it and share your experience via your blog. 🙂
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Wow. So much to learn from this museum. Next time I visit London I have to visit this place.
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Yes, this is one of those places apart from Tower of London which is a must see in London.
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Reading your post reminds me of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City which I visited last month. Museums are the perfect place to explore different culture and history.
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Oh, I had not heard of this Museum before. Have you made a post? Or else I will look it up on the net. Thanks for letting me know about this place. 🙂
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i love your posts! You come out with so many interesting places! really like the artifacts in this museum!
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Thank You So much 🙂
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Must travel here! Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos!
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I love museums! If I have some free time this weekend, I’ll go for a visit! Thanks for sharing.
Rakel ♥ http://www.alovelystyle.com
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Feels so magical for me. Hehe. One of the histories I honestly know less. I like most the Man’s Cloth by El Anatsui Ghana – fascinating display.
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Yes, it is intriguing. Something I had never seen before. But if you like that, that i’m sure you would like some of the artwork in the Whitworth Gallery. It’s one of my previous posts in the blog. The gallery is in Manchester and caters to modern art. there is a separate Textile Section in the Gallery. Do check it out sometime, Maybe you will like it. 🙂
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I especially love the Egyptian exhibition! So inspiring! I would like to go there one day!
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Thats my fav too. You must go there sometime. You will love it.
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Omg amazing!!! I majored in world history in college so these types of things Ahhh!!!!! The things I like to do!
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Great to know you liked it 🙂
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I feel so ashamed that I have never been to the British Museum. I’m a couple of hours away from London but that isn’t far enough to work as an excuse. Your post makes me desperate to visit now though.
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Magnificent displays of art! I’d love to visit this museum someday!
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Sure, you must. Though your legs might start paining cause the walking is just never ending; but its worth everything. 🙂
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Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He constantly kept talking about this. I’ll forward this article to
him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
Thanks for sharing!
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I’ve never been to the British Museum but would love to go! I absolutely love going to museums.
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Yes, museums tell a lot about our history and past. Its great to go there at revisit the rich heritage of mankind.
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what a great moments you’ve got.
hope you enjoyed them.
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Yes, I did enjoy my time in the museum. 🙂
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Ahhh I’ve visited this in the past summer! So great to see these pics and read those details about it.
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Aah! Great then you must know all about it. 🙂
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I would love to go through this museum. The great hall is amazing and I can imagine just walking along entranced by all of the beautiful things here. I can see why one day is not enough!
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When I was told that one day wasnt enough I was skeptical to believe it. but when I went there , I realised that the statement was 100% true.
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Yet another reason to visit the UK! I must be honest though…the big bear who “ate” little bears is a little scary haha.
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HAHA 🙂
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I always enjoy visiting museums when I am out of town. The displays look amazing here.
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Yes, the displays are sure amazing. 🙂
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The Inca civilization was always fascinating to me in school. It’s awesome that they have some Inca idols in this museum!
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Yes. This is probably the first museum I have seen which hosts an Inca Gallery .
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The Incas and the Egyptians are my favourite sections. I love the British Museum, this post really shows off it’s great parts. Hopefully a lot more people will visit it now after reading this.
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Thanks. 🙂 I read it somewhere that the visiting stats are almost 6 million each year. And there are still people who havnt seen this place. So i wish everyone sees it at least once in their lifetime. The Egyptians are my fav. I like the Incas too but they come second. 😛
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Never been to this museum. But I love history and all those civilizations and the different timelines represented. I will sure plan to visit it next time I visit London. The fact that it’s free is also incredible ! Thank you for sharing !
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Welcome. during my stay in London i found out that London is a very expensive city. Thus, to be able to see such a wonder without any entrance fee is an opportunity I could not have missed. 🙂
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The British Museum is my favourite! I especially love the Egyptian exhibit and the mummies and their ornate coffins is a thrill to behold.
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Great. 🙂 Those are my fav too. 🙂
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Reading this reminds me of when I visited, I too struggled a little to find it but when arriving, you notice straight away, it really is a beautiful building!
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Yes it is. even beautiful are the exhibits. It is truly said that a day is not enough if you are museum lover and want to really see the exhibits. On the other hand an hour and a half is enough for a quick scan. But it might take another 15 min. to find the way out 😛
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Wow, this museum looks super interesting, I think my boyfriend and I would love it here!
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