Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya

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Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya
Pradhānamaṁtrī Saṁgrahālaya
Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya logo.png
Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya
Former name
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum
Established14 April 2022;3 years ago (2022-04-14)
LocationTeen Murti Haifa Chowk, New Delhi, India
Type Biographical museum
Accreditation Prime Ministers' Museum and Library Society
Founder Narendra Modi
Curator Prime Ministers' Museum and Library Society
Architect Sikka Associates Architects
Owner Ministry of Culture
Public transit access Udyog Bhawan metro station
Website Official website

Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (ISO: Pradhānmantrī Saṅgrahālaya, lit. Prime Ministers' Museum) is a state-of-the-art public museum located within the historic Teen Murti Bhavan complex in New Delhi, India. Officially inaugurated on 14 April 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the institution is dedicated to chronicling the lives, contributions, and legacies of all prime ministers of India since Independence in 1947, irrespective of their political affiliations. Through the integration of immersive technology, curated archival material, and interactive storytelling, the museum offers visitors a panoramic narrative of India’s democratic journey and socio-economic transformation under successive governments. It is curated and managed by the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture. [1]

Contents

The museum is designed as both a commemorative and educational space, aiming to inspire citizens, particularly younger generations, by showcasing how leaders from diverse socio-economic, cultural, and regional backgrounds rose to the nation’s highest executive office. Each leader’s tenure is presented in the context of the historical challenges, policy decisions, and developmental milestones of their era, providing a nuanced understanding of India’s governance and political evolution. The Sangrahalaya blends historical authenticity with modern presentation techniques, featuring rare photographs, personal artefacts, official documents, speeches, and multimedia installations that bring to life key moments in the nation’s post-independence history. [1]

Inspiration and purpose

The idea for the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya emerged from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for an inclusive national tribute to all Indian Prime Ministers, regardless of their political background. The vision was to underscore India’s democratic ethos that leadership of the country is not restricted to any one ideology, family, or region, but is accessible to citizens from varied walks of life. The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society, developed the project as a space that not only documents the past but also motivates future generations to engage with democratic governance. [2] [3]

Beyond commemoration, the Sangrahalaya aims to promote civic awareness by presenting leadership decisions in the context of India’s evolving socio-political landscape. It narrates how successive leaders navigated wars, economic reforms, global diplomacy, natural disasters, and technological revolutions, thereby shaping the modern Indian state. The institution also serves as a repository for prime ministerial archives, ensuring that important historical materials are preserved for research and education. [4]

Architecture, Design, and Planning

The museum complex is located at Teen Murti Bhavan, a heritage building originally constructed in 1930 as the residence of the British Commander-in-Chief in India. After Independence, it was occupied by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who stayed there for 16 years until his death in 1964. [5]

The existing structure, now called Building I, retained its colonial architecture while it was being adapted into the erstwhile Nehru Museum with upgraded digital galleries.

The newly built Building II, designed by Sikka Associates Architects, introduces a contemporary architectural language inspired by the concept of “rising India.” The design represents the hands of the Prime Ministers shaping a rising nation, with elements symbolizing collective progress and development. Building II incorporates eco-friendly features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and landscaped green zones, and is planned with clean lines, open atria, and panoramic glazing to symbolize transparency in governance. Both buildings are linked via landscaped pathways, creating a seamless visitor experience between the heritage and modern sections. [6] [7]

The entire project spans around 15,600m² and houses 43 distinct galleries. The planning process prioritized minimal disruption to the heritage estate, with much of the new construction placed on previously disturbed ground to protect green spaces. [7]

Exhibits and Visitor Experience

The museum leverages cutting-edge presentation tools to transform historical narratives into interactive journeys. Key technologies include:

References

  1. 1 2 "About Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya Delhi". Incredible India. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  2. "Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya: A tribute to all PMs - Prime Ministers' Museum". The Economic Times. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  3. "Man ki baat August 2024" (PDF).
  4. "Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya gets over 50,000 visitors since inauguration in April". Hindustan Times. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  5. Standard, Business. "Teen Murti Bhavan: Residence of Commander-in-Chief, abode of first PM Nehru". www.business-standard.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2025.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  6. "Self-guided tour of New-Delhi". SmartGuide. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 www.architectureplusdesign.in https://www.architectureplusdesign.in/architecture/the-pradhanmantri-sangrhalaya-by-sikka-associates-architects-stands-as-a-testament-to-the-hands-that-have-shaped-the-nation/ . Retrieved 9 August 2025.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. 1 2 "Self-guided tour of New-Delhi". SmartGuide. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  9. 1 2 Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya offical inspiration and planning document, as available on official website
  10. "Motion Simulator Ride – Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai" . Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  11. "Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) has launched an ambitious project to digitize the research material in its possession". www.pib.gov.in. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.