Government Museum, Vellore

Government Museum, Vellore is situated within the premises of the historical vellore fort. This museum was established in the year 1985 as the 6th district Museum to impart knowledge about erstwhile North Arcot District (Present Vellore & Thiruvannamalai) and its Significance. Both the Districts have rich flora and fauna and cultural heritage.

In early days Vellore district was ruled by Pallava, chola ,sambuvarayas, and vijayanagaras. During the reigns of sambuvarays and vijayanagaras vellore district played vital rule in the history of Tamilnadu. Vellore served as capital city during the last phase of the vijayanagra empire. Later European settlers like English and French had rivalry for Capturing the power. In this juncture , Nawabs of Arcot supported either French or English. Vellore Fort was under the control and witness series attacks, alternately, by the forces of English and French. In 1806 The first part of freedom movement ,ie., Vellore Revolt was happen in this Fort. More over successors of Tipu sultan imprisoned in this Fort. Subsequently the Last Tamil king sri vikrama Raja sinha was also jailed in this fort. Highlighting these Historical factors Government Museum,Vellore is having wide range of artifacts of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Botany and Zoological importance.

A fiberglass model of 16ft height life size Trynnosaurus displayed at the entrance to attract visitors. Two 18th Century cannons unearthed from Vellore fort are kept at entry level .This Museum has a Sculpture Garden wherein Stone Sculptures, Hero Stones,Inscriptions from different places and Gunpowder flasks, cannon balls are in display.

Inside the building this Museum has eight different galleries, which attracts more number of students and common public and Tourists.

Government Museum Vellore has 8 Galleries.

1. Introductory Gallery about the District

This Gallery has historical photographs such as Monuments , Tourist Important Places, Geographical Maps of Vellore & Thiruvannamalai are displayed.

2. Stone Sculptures Gallery

Stone Sculptures Gallery

This reign was ruled by historical kingdoms like Pallava,chola and Vijayanagara dynasties. Sculptures of these dynasties Stone Sculptures displayed in this gallery.

3. Pre History and Philately Gallery

Pre History deals with Stone age,Copper age,and Iron age. Paleolithic Stone tools, Hand axes,Neolithic celts,Burial Urns, Sarcophagus and potteries of different kinds are displayed. In this Gallery.
Philately is associated with stamps of different Countries Stamps pertaining to flora and fauna, Culture, historical monuments are displayed. Wood carvings also displayed in this Gallery.

4. Art Gallery

16 numbers of Contemporary Art are displayed here.Oil colour,Water colour,and acrylic paintings of different artist are displayed here.

5. Natural Science Gallery

Both wet preserved and Dry preserved specimens of zoological importance are in display.Hyena & Black Buck are displayed In a dyaroma showcase.with its environment.Aquatic birds are displayed. Marine organisms like sea horses ,fishes, crabs, corals are displayed. Medicinal plants and its uses timbers and its commercial value are kept for view. Rocks, minerals and fossils are displayed. In Geology section.

6. Bronze Gallery

South Indian Bronzes are unique ,artistically very much important.Bronze collection in this museum are acquired through Treasure-trove from vellore and Thiruvannamalai Districts. Arumballur Jain bronzes are note worthy in the bronze collection. The Last ruler of Kandi(srilanka) Tamil king Sri .Vikramarajasinga’s antiquities are very much interesting.

7. Numismatic Gallery

Coins are important source material for history.Both south Indian and North Indian coins are displayed in this gallery.

8. Anthropology Gallery

Anthropology Gallery

Swords of Arani Jagirdhar,Tribal objects pertaining to Kattunaicken, Malayali and Irulas and dress materials and ornaments of Lambadi peoples. Karigiri glazed potteries are best examples to know about life styles of various people.
Government Museum Vellore is window of History, Art, Culture and Heritage of the Vellore District. Visit museum to know about tangible and intangible heritage of vellore District.