West Bengal
India’s Oldest & Largest Museum Welcomes Its Youngest Director
- 30 Jan 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Dr. Sayan Bhattacharya has been appointed as the youngest-ever Director of the Indian Museum in Kolkata, the oldest and largest museum in India.
Key Points:
- Institution: Founded in 1814 by the Asiatic Society of Bengal (led by Dr. Nathaniel Wallich), it is the first museum in the Asia-Pacific region.
- It houses a vast collection of over 2.5 million artefacts across disciplines such as archaeology, anthropology, geology, zoology, and numismatics.
- Appointment: Dr. Bhattacharya previously served as the Deputy Director and Education Officer at the museum. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
- Educational Background: Dr. Bhattacharya holds a Ph.D. in Archaeology from the prestigious Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute in Pune.
- International Exposure: He is an alumnus of the British Museum's International Training Programme (ITP), where he gained global perspectives on museum management.
- Experience: Before this appointment, he served as the Deputy Director and Curator (Education) at the Indian Museum.
- Recognition: In January 2026, he was honored with the title "Man of Ideas" by the Governor of West Bengal, Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose.
- Significance: Supports national priorities under the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, promoting cultural preservation and public engagement.
| Read More: Indian Museum, Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, |
