Photo:
Dharmaraj a 18th century Bronze from Buxa
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THE
MUSEUM OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY has a large collection of Paintings,
Manuscripts, Sculptures, Bronzes, Coins and Inscriptions.
As
early as 1796, the Society announced its intention of establishing
a Museum, and it was actually set up at the beginning of 1814
under the superintendence of Dr. N. Wallich. That the Museum developed
rapidly is evident from the first catalogue, published in 1849
and other descriptive catalogues of different sections.The Society
proposed to the Government in 1839 for establishment of a public
museum at Calcutta. And the Indian Museum of Calcutta was
estblished in 1866. The Society made over its valuable collections
to the Indian Museum. The Society however still maintains a museum
of its own posession of Asokan Rock Edict (250 B.C.),Copper Plates,
Coins, Sculptures, Manuscripts and Archival records.
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