The Indian Museum is the oldest museum in Asia. It was founded on 2 February 1814, but the building actually took 61 years to come up. The museum evolved from the collections of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. The establishment of the museum also resulted in the formation of the surveys – Geological, Botanical, Zoological and Anthropological, which later became independent bodies. The history of the Asiatic Society, Indian Museum and the surveys are interconnected.

The Indian Museum launched its bi-centenary celebrations in February, 2014. To mark the occasion the museum is undergoing a physical renovation, which is continuing. The physical renovation has given the museum the flexibility to re-interpret and rearrange exhibits, show parts of the collection in storage. Phase II of the renovation includes the natural history gallery, where the collections are under the Surveys of Geology, Zoology and Botany.

The museum collection includes: Art: miniature paintings, ivory, bidri works, textiles, wood carvings, bronze, temple-banners, scrolls, lacquer works, silver filigree.
Archaeology: Pre and proto-historic implements, Indus valley excavated objects, sculptures, terracottas, bronzes, wooden sculptures, inscriptions, seals, coins, manuscripts, architecture, Egyptian antiquaty and mummy.
Anthropology: tribal and folk art objects, artifacts, musical instruments, dresses and costumes, masks, ornaments, arms and weapons.
Zoology: mammal, birds, amphibia, reptile, fish, insect.
Botany: Wood yielding plants, medicinal herbs, agricultural products, fibre and narcotics, dyes and tans, oil and oilseeds.
Geology: rocks and minerals, fossil plants and animals, precious stones, meteorites siwalik, fossil collection.
Collection of Indian Textiles