Chamba’s rulers were noted to be great patrons of arts and culture. One such ruler, Raja Bhuri Singh, believing in the importance of preserving artifacts, founded this museum with his family’s personal artwork collection. Since 1908, Bhuri Singh Museum has withstood the beginning and end of a series of rulers, viceroys, and India Partition while continuing to showcase the finest collection of miniature paintings from the Chamba, Kangra and Basohli schools. In addition, the multi-level building  is home to woodcarvings, weapons, coins, hill jewelry, costumes, musical instruments, copper-plate inscriptions, relics from the rajas and ornately carved fountain slabs from around the Chamba Valley.

Today’s multi-level building, constructed in 1975 and located in the heart of Chamba city, is also home to woodcarvings, weapons, copper-plate inscriptions, relics from the rajas and ornately carved fountain slabs from around the Chamba Valley. Glass cases labeled in both Hindi and English display the valued inventory separated by theme in a modest, yet sprawling flow of high ceiling rooms.

Bhuri Singh Museum’s drab brown brick exterior will never win any design awards. And the interior design doesn’t get much better. A headache inducing blue wall color envelopes one of the larger rooms on the upper floor, and fluorescent lights do little to highlight the beauty in most pieces. However, the overall presentation of pieces is highly organized while the building itself is spotlessly clean. Museum staff mull about the eerily quiet rooms helping to answer questions or direct guests to the next display. Tourists of Chamba would be remiss not taking even the shortest walk through this well executed museum before traveling onward.

Entry Fee: Indian/foreigner Rs 10/50, camera Rs 50

Open: Tuesday – Sunday 10-5, Closed Monday and Holidays