The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya opened its doors to the public on 10 January 1922, as the Prince of Wales Museum. This commemorative volume showcases some of the unique artistic and heritage treasures in its vast collection, as the Museum celebrates its centenary.

Beginning with the history and establishment of the Museum, the author describes the architectural features of this landmark heritage building in Mumbai. A journey through its galleries, with beautiful images and descriptions of the paintings, sculptures, artworks, textiles, bronzes, everyday objects and modern art in India from the JJ School of Art provide a detailed exposition of the various collections in this repository of the nation’s cultural heritage.

Written in a flowing narrative style, this work lovingly describes the exquisite artefacts and artworks in the Museum as well as the philosophical ideas that inspired their creation.

Musings in the Museum is sure to be of interest to collectors or visitors to this grand edifice, as well as armchair travellers, eager to garner knowledge about the Museum and its priceless heritage collection.

Harsha V. Dehejia

Harsha V. Dehejia has a double doctorate—one in medicine and the other in Ancient Indian Culture, both from Mumbai University. He is a practising physician, and Professor of Indian Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His main interest is in Indian Aesthetics. A widely respected aesthete and art collector, he has written extensively on Indian art and culture, including Parvati, Goddess of Love (1999); Despair and Modernity: Reflections on Modern Indian Paintings (2000); A Celebration of Love: The Romantic Heroine in the Indian Arts (2004); Celebrating Krishna: Sensuous Images and Sacred Words (2005); Gods Beyond Temples (2006) and A Festival of Krishna (2008).