Located at "Lal Mandi", Srinagar, Sri Pratap Singh Building is the capital building of Kashmir. Once it was the summer palace of the Maharajas of Kashmir. It became a museum in 1898. This building is accepted for its intense collection of the handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir. The ‘toshkhana’ accumulating of this building displays an exciting collection of pashmina (woolen) shawls, textiles, paintings, arms and armory, metal utensils, ornaments and handicrafts. Pratap Singh Museum boasts for its unique treasure of the adornment Map of Kashmir on a shawl.
Located in Lal Mandi, on the left bank of the River Jhelum, Sri Pratap Singh Museum is of abundant historical importance. It houses amount of the unique terracotta active which belongs to the 3rd century and these were calm from the Buddhist website which is in Ushkur. It as well includes unique terracotta plaques which are molded and belongs to 4th and 5th century. These are from Harwan.
This abode is as well accepted for its ancient model of Lokeshvara, fabricated of assumption and a structure of Lord Vishnu, which is a blooming stone, sitting on Garuda. A statue of Buddha, fabricated of copper and belonging to 5th century has been carved in the architectural appearance of Gandhara.
As far as history is concerned, Kashmir, which has been accepted as the most age-old settlements in Asia, is having a long history of more than 5000 years which are present as records and documents. To the end of the 19th century the artifacts, historical places and settlements were accustomed as the commissioned of cultural assets of this association and in acceptance of this, after on in the 19th century a memorandum was propounded to the rulers of Dogra of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Pratap Singh for enactment of a Museum in Srinagar that would appearance the archaeological and cultural abstracts from the assorted region of Jammu, Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan.
The Museum was accustomed by The Maharaja and as well called afterwards him as Shri Pratap Singh Museum who was the adjudicator at that time. It was perched outside the old city of Srinagar which is anon the affection of the city and is accepted as Lal Mandi. This Museum comprises of Manuscripts, Miniature paintings, Numismatics, Utensils, Furniture and adorning items, Weapons and armory, Textiles and carpets, Items of grass, covering and willow work, Musical Instruments, Sculptures and added biconcave objects, Natural history collections.
Attractions of Pratap Singh Museum
The sources of the collections in the Museum are four important archeological sites from the regions of Kashmir and Ladakh. It houses Pandrenthan Sculptures. Many Sculptures accept been dug out at Pandrenthan which gives the abstraction of the superior of plan of the Kashmiri artists.
The Museum as well includes Avantipura Sculptures. Many temples were built in the town of Avantipura. The accumulating as well consists of corrective and broiled adobe pieces which accept altered abstracts of Buddha, Manjusri and other deities on it. These are from Ladakh.
On exhibit, the Archeological Section has terracotta tiles which are about 2000 years old. It as well includes active which are from Ushkar presently accepted as Baramulla Town and they accord to 4th century. These heads gives the abstraction of Gandharan and Greek styles. There are two big stones of Buddha which are from Parihaspura. They accord to the 17th century.
Two sculptures of Laxmi and Vishnu are found from Avantipura which belongs to 19th century. The Sculpture of Vishnu accepting three active is seen because it is believed to be unique affection of Vishnu. The Laxmi looks like any Greek Goddess. Many Sculptures which were unearthed from the above sites of Avantipura, Parihaspura, Pandrenthan etc are as well on display.
How to Get Here
By Air- Srinagar airport is able-bodied affiliated with the airports of all the above cities in India. Regular flights accomplish amid Srinagar and added cities beyond India and the prices of the tickets are as well not actual high.
By Rail- Jammu is the closest railway station to Srinagar and it is at a 290 km away. The railway station of Jammu is well linked to all main cities in India by rail. Buses and Taxis are also available outside the railway station to reach Srinagar.
By Road- Srinagar is very well connected to all the major cities and towns by the bus service of Jammu and Kashmir. Private cabs and taxis can also be hired to reach Srinagar.
