Lesson 1/34 min
The three major museums
Varendra Research Museum
- Location: Rajshahi (Hetemkha area)
- Known as the oldest museum on the territory of Bangladesh
- Began in 1910 on the initiative of the Varendra Research Society
- Founders: Sarat Kumar Ray (prince of Dighapatia), Akshay Kumar Maitreya and Ramaprasad Chanda
- Lord Carmichael laid the foundation stone of the present building (13 November 1916); the museum opened in 1919
Watch out: One book gives 1913 for the Varendra Museum and calls Lord Carmichael its founder. Sources put the start of the Society and the museum in 1910; Carmichael only laid the foundation stone in 1916. Exam answer: 1910.
National Museum
- Location: Shahbag, Dhaka
- Established in 1913 under the name Dhaka Museum
- Renamed National Museum in 1983, when it became an autonomous institution
- The new building was designed by architect Syed Mainul Hosain
- First curator: Nalini Kanta Bhattasali
Watch out: The same book prints two different architects for the National Museum on two pages. The checked name is Syed Mainul Hosain, who also designed the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar.
Liberation War Museum
- The country's first museum on the Liberation War; built by private initiative
- Founded on 22 March 1996 at Segunbagicha, Dhaka
- Moved in 2017 to a new building at Agargaon, Dhaka (opened 16 April 2017)
- Architects of the new building: Tanzim Hasan Salim and Nahid Farzana
- Collection: photographs, diaries and belongings of freedom fighters
Check yourself
Which is the oldest museum of Bangladesh?
At a glance
- 1
Varendra Research Museum (Rajshahi) is the oldest museum of Bangladesh; it began in 1910.
- 2
The National Museum is at Shahbag; established in 1913 as the Dhaka Museum, renamed in 1983.
- 3
The National Museum building was designed by Syed Mainul Hosain; its first curator was Nalini Kanta Bhattasali.
- 4
The Liberation War Museum was founded on 22 March 1996 at Segunbagicha and moved to Agargaon in 2017.