Kanpur Museum & Phool Bagh - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 3 km from Kanpur Central, Kanpur Museum is a historical museum located in the Pool Bagh Ground in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the best museums in Uttar Pradesh, and among the must-visit Kanpur tourist places.

Kanpur Sangrahalaya is the official museum in Kanpur. The building of the museum was constructed as a European-style ballroom by the European merchants who settled in colonial India. However in 1910 after the death of King Edward VII, the same hall was renamed as King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hall to remember his visit to Cawnpore in 1876. When World War I broke out, construction of the hall was interrupted and was used to house wounded British soldiers. The construction of the hall was completed after WWI in 1918. It was used by European settlers for cultural activities, and occasionally it was rented to rich Indian merchants for marriage ceremonies. After independence in 1947, KEM Hall was renamed as Gandhi Bhawan. Later, the hall was converted into Kanpur Museum in the year 1999.

The Kanpur Museum is a storehouse of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the events and people who have influenced the making of Kanpur city. Kanpur Museum comprises a large hall-type structure with a highly decorated ceiling and a clock tower. The museum houses the collections from the British colonial period such as handwritten books of freedom fighters, their poetry, pistols, dresses, shoes, etc. The museum's collection includes an old colonial period artillery gun.

The surrounding Phool Bagh or Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Udyan is another attraction here. Earlier known as Queen's Park, this gorgeous urban park is one of the oldest gardens in Kanpur. It used to be the venue for relevant political rallies and public meetings. There are also numerous statues of prominent freedom fighters including BR Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. The park grounds also has a huge hoisted Indian flag which is about 150 feet tall. Besides, this pretty park also has a library, and the Cawnpore Union Club on its premises.

Timings: 10.30 AM - 4.30 PM, Closed on Mondays

Entry: Rs. 15 for Person