Museum sights in Mumbai (Bombay)
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Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium
The most striking thing about the Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium cultural complex, which includes a decent planetarium and the serpentine-but-interesting history exhibition Discovery of India is the bold modern architecture of the buildings. The tower looks like a giant cylindrical pineapple, the planetarium a UFO. There's also a theatre here .
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A
Monetary Museum
While you’re in the area, pop into this tiny and thoughtfully presented museum, run by the Reserve Bank of India. It’s an engrossing historical tour of India through coinage: from early concepts of cash to the first coins of 600 BC, through Indo-European influences, right up to today’s Gandhi-covered notes. Also on display is the world’s smallest coin, probably found in the crack of an ancient couch.
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B
Mani Bhavan
As poignant as it is tiny, this museum is in the building where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during visits to Bombay from 1917 to 1934. The museum showcases the room where the leader formulated his philosophy of satyagraha (nonviolent protest popularised by Gandhi) and launched the 1932 Civil Disobedience campaign that led to the end of British rule. Exhibitions include a photographic record of his life, along with dioramas and original documents, such as letters he wrote to Adolf Hitler and Franklin D Roosevelt. Nearby, August Kranti Maidan is where the campaign to persuade the British to ‘Quit India’ was launched in 1942.
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C
Museum Ship Vikrant
Built in 1945 and bought by the Indian Navy in 1957, the massive aircraft carrier INS Vikrant now serves as a fascinating museum. Admission includes the ferry ride out to the ship, then a walk through the various quarters, the hold (displaying diving bells, submarines and various aircraft) and finally the enormous deck with take-off and landing strip.
The Vikrant served in the India-Pakistan War of 1971, and in the liberation of Goa from the Portuguese, providing a sea base for Harrier jump jets, Seahawks and helicopters, some of which are still on board.
Tickets are available from the booking offices near the Gateway.
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