Guarding the Past, Struggling in the Present

Rafique Aziz

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The tourism capital once known as Aurangabad has officially been renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a couple of years ago. However, the fate of the 26-year-old Shrimant Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum (SCSMM, situated near District Collectorate) remains unchanged. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) is the custodian of the museum. Though it completed its silver jubilee in 2024, it continues to struggle for survival due to absence of vision and support from key civic authorities and public representatives.

Rare Collections

Shriprakash Shantilal Purwar (59), the director of the museum emphasised, “ A museum preserves our cultural heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich, unique and diverse traditions of our region and India. It is not confined to any religious boundaries. Established in 1999, SCSMM houses five galleries (dalans) featuring rare replica paintings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, an original rare painting of Shivaji Maharaj’s Topkhana chief Ibrahim Khan Gardi, handwritten manuscripts of the Holy Quran and the Holy Dnyaneshwari, large cannons discovered from nearby heritage sites, and several other historically significant artefacts.”

Despite its rich collection, the museum has failed to attract substantial footfall. Non-release of funds for regular maintenance, lack of proper marketing, insufficient staff and absence of guiding facilities have severely impacted visitor numbers.

Aggressive Promotion

“We have three museums in the city, and ours is spacious with a vast collection of rare artefacts. The iconic monument Bibi Ka Maqbara draws lakhs of domestic tourists annually. If even 10 per cent of them visited our museum, it could transform our situation. The municipal corporation should install promotional displays with photographs and historical information near Bibi Ka Maqbara. It would attract the attention of tourists and encourage them to visit the museum. Currently, school trips form a regular but limited source of visitors. Besides aggressive marketing and promotion, there is a dire need to revise the entry fees, which currently stand at Rs 2 for children below 12 years and Rs 5 for others (for all tourists),” explained Purwar, who personally supervises the museum’s four contractual staff daily in morning and evening.

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Priority Works; Needs major funds

The museum urgently requires renovation and systematic maintenance. Key concerns include cleaning and repainting dome-shaped ceilings; replacing ageing plywood furniture that has exceeded its 20-year lifespan; installing protective films on windows to prevent sunlight damage to exhibits; sealing cracks, leaks and damp areas; appointing gallery personnel to guide visitors and safeguard artefacts; fumigating against termites; repairing non-functional CCTV cameras; replacing damaged display lights, particularly those illuminating fort models; refurbishing seating for elderly visitors; and introducing audio guides. Maintaining the interiors has become increasingly difficult in the post-COVID-19 period, said the museum sources.

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CSMC speaks

Meanwhile, newly elected mayor Sameer Rajurkar said that the CSMC will take up the renovation of the museum once a detailed project report (DPR), prepared following a spot inspection, is completed.

When contacted, Sanjay Kombade, in-charge city engineer of CSMC confirmed that a proposal for renovation is being prepared by executive engineer (civil) Vijay Gore.

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Gallery I - War Strategy of Shivaji Maharaj

Gallery II - Social Life in Maratha Period

Gallery III - Maharashtra Through Coins

Gallery IV - Rise of Maratha Power

Gallery V - Glimpses of Satvahana Dynasty