Asiatic Society is the first modern museum
in Asia founded by Sir William Jones in 1784 under the patronage of Governor
Warren Hastings. It is a famous center of Indology, Literature and Scientific
Research and is situated in Park Street. The society started a public
museum in 1814. The Library of this institution contains approximately
20,000 volumes inclusive of 8,000 rare Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian &
Hindi manuscripts. The archaeological relics, geological and ethnological
specimens which the museum of this society possessed forms the nucleus
of the Indian Museum. The society has a few pieces of sculpture
which includes an image of Brahma (12th century). The Barhut Asokan
Rock Edict (BC 250) in Pali written in the Brahmi script is one of the
most important exhibits. This university now fosters cultural activities
and conducts painting exhibitions by the artists of the Bengal School.
Contact :
Asiatic Society, 1, Park Street , Kolkata - 700016
Phone : 033-22172355, 22497250
