Exploring Ahmedabad’s Culture and History Through Its Heritage Museums of the ’80s
Ahmedabad, India’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage City, is a vibrant repository of culture and history, offering a rich tapestry of Indo-Islamic monuments, medieval residential clusters, and landmarks of the Indian independence movement. Renowned as the “Manchester of the East” for its once-flourishing textile industry, the city’s allure extends beyond its iconic landmarks to an array of unique heritage museums established during the 1980s.
These museums spotlight the city’s legacy, ranging from intricate textiles and traditional utensils to vintage automobiles. Each museum offers a distinctive glimpse into India’s past, making Ahmedabad a must-visit for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and curious travellers alike. For an immersive experience, visitors can stay at The House of MG, a boutique heritage hotel offering authentic Gujarati thalis, or explore Laurel by Flavours, a fine-dining vegetarian restaurant serving globally-inspired cuisine.
Calico Museum of Textiles
Founded in 1983 under the aegis of the Sarabhai Foundation, the Calico Museum of Textiles is internationally acclaimed for its extraordinary collection of Indian textiles, some dating back 500 years. Housed in The Retreat at Shahibaug, a historic mansion surrounded by a lush botanical garden, the museum showcases Mughal court textiles, regional embroideries, tie-dyed fabrics, and religious garments from the 15th to 19th centuries.
The museum also features South Indian bronzes, Jain manuscripts, miniature paintings, and intricate Vaishnava picchavais, offering an unparalleled dive into India’s artistic and cultural heritage.
- Don’t miss: Jain art and intricately designed temple hangings.
- Fun fact: The museum’s garden is home to over 800 plant species, attracting diverse wildlife.
- Entry: Free with pre-registration; tours are available for the Haveli galleries in the morning or the Chauk galleries in the afternoon.
Vechaar Utensils Museum
Established in 1981, the Vechaar Utensils Museum is a charming ode to the everyday craftsmanship of Indian households. Located in Vishalla Village Restaurant, the museum showcases utensils crafted from brass, copper, bronze, zinc, and German silver, tracing the evolution of Indian culinary tools.
Visitors are treated to a rustic hall lined with pots, spittoons, jugs, and fire kilns, offering a nostalgic look into rural and urban kitchens of bygone eras.
- Don’t miss: Antique cooking vessels and a curated walk through the hut-like displays.
- Fun fact: The museum was conceptualised by designer Surendra Patel and anthropologist Jyotindra Jain to preserve India’s culinary heritage.
- Entry: ₹20 per person.
Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum
Inaugurated in 1985, the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum boasts a stunning collection of manuscripts, bronzes, beadwork, and woodwork, making it a haven for art connoisseurs. It is particularly renowned for its Pahari School Ramayana Drawings, Ragamala paintings, and artefacts donated by notable families such as the Lalbhais.
This museum offers visitors an intimate exploration of India’s literary and artistic traditions, including miniature illustrations of epics, darbar scenes, and depictions of festivals.
- Don’t miss: The Gopi-Anand Beadwork Collection and the Lilavati Lalbhai Woodwork Collection.
- Fun fact: The museum limits entry to just 20 visitors at a time for an exclusive experience.
- Entry: Free; pre-registration required.
Auto World Vintage Car Museum
More Read
Nestled in the sprawling 2,200-acre Dastan Estate, the Auto World Vintage Car Museum is a paradise for automobile enthusiasts. Established by Pranlal Bhogilal Patel, the museum features a breathtaking collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, and horse carriages.
The exhibits include luxury marques like Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, and Maybach, with some models even belonging to India’s princely states. Visitors can also enjoy a 3.5-km ride in a vintage car for ₹1,000.
- Don’t miss: Rare royal cars and a scenic ride in a vintage vehicle.
- Fun fact: The museum holds a Guinness World Record for having the largest garage in 1987.
- Entry: ₹100 per person.
Preserving Ahmedabad’s Legacy
Ahmedabad’s heritage museums from the 1980s are more than just repositories of artefacts—they are vibrant storytellers of the city’s rich cultural and historical legacy. Whether exploring ancient textiles, traditional utensils, exquisite art, or vintage automobiles, these museums offer an unforgettable journey into the heart of India’s past.
As you traverse these cultural gems, you’ll uncover why Ahmedabad remains a city where tradition and modernity coexist in perfect harmony.
