On 25 July 2014,[8] upon completing two years of his tenure, Indian presidentPranab Mukherjee inaugurated a museum with fiber glass statues of all the former presidents in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.[9] Built at a cost of ₹80 crore (equivalent to ₹128 crore or US$15 million in 2023), it was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi.[10]
I dedicate the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum to the nation. I am sure this museum will enable the people of our nation obtain an inside view of Rashtrapati Bhavan, its art, architecture and vibrant community as well as educate them on the lives of various Presidents.
— Pranab Mukherjee, on the inauguration of the museum, Press Information Bureau[11]
Apart from the inauguration of the museum, the completion of the second year of his presidency was also celebrated with a dinner for the council of ministers and the release of three books.[12] The museum displayed the gifts received by the presidents of India during their tenure, which were previously stored in the Toshakhana.[13] Pankaj Protim Bordoloi served as the first museologist.[14]
The next phase of the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum opened on 26 July 2016, marking the completion of four years of presidency by Mukherjee.[15] Similar to the first phase, the second phase was also built at a cost of ₹80 crore (equivalent to ₹128 crore or US$15 million in 2023), in the location that was previously the garage for the Rashtrapati Bhavan.[16] Prime minister Modi inaugurated the second phase of the museum in present of president Mukherjee and vice-presidentMohammad Hamid Ansari.[17]
Built on an area of 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft), the Garage Museum was made to showcase the history behind the development of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the British viceroys who inhabited the building, the independence and declaration of India as a republic nation, the lives and contributions of the presidents of India, and the life inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan.[18]
The biggest point of my happiness is that my political background is different, his is different. But in a democracy, people brought up in different political ideologies too can work shoulder to shoulder, this I can feel every moment I work with him.
— Narendra Modi, upon the inauguration of Phase-II, Financial Express[19]
President Mukherjee also launched a section within the official Rashtrapati Bhavan website dedicated to information and services for the museum and the Amrit Udyan garden outside the presidential palace.[20]
Opening to the public
As a final step, the museum was opened for the public on 2 October 2016,[21] covering 12,000 square metres (130,000 sq ft)[22] in area with its entry and exit gates on Mother Teresa Crescent Road.[23] At the inauguration, the museum was finally opened for the public.[24] Other than the presidents and important personalities associated with the Indian independence movement, the museum also displayed silicon sculptures of people associated with the construction of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.[25]
During the initial days of the tenure of the President, he wanted to know and explain to the public the specific details about President’s house and about the important treaties which took place here. This place came into being due to his deep interest in history. Our aim is to take people on a tour of history and turning Rashtrapati Bhawan from a high-security region to a visitor-friendly place.
— Venu Rajamony, press secretary to the president, on the idea behind the museum[26]
To inaugurate the opening of the museum, an art exhibition by Rouble Nagi titled Flamenco was hosted till 10 October.[27] The president's office also floated the hastag #VisitRBMuseum to encourage children to participate in activities at the museum complex.[28]
Exterior
The museum has been built over three storeys[29] within the 95 years old Rashtrapati Bhavan complex.[30] The museum complex has been divided into three museums, the Stables Museum built in the first phase, the Garage Museum built in the second phase and the Clock Tower restored before the museum was opened to the public.[31] At the time of construction, it was the only underground museum of India.[29]
Banners of all the Indian presidents preserved in the museum.
Interior
When the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum was first inaugurated in July 2014, the interior consisted of various modes of visual communication to provide knowledge to the visitors.[33] Items like the president's vintage Mercedes Benz, a horse-drawn buggies, are kept on display in the museum.[34]
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday,[35] with the visiting time within the museums being from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.[36]
Gallery
Portraits of all the presidents of India embossed in bronze plates.
The buggy of the president, now preserved in the Garage Museum.
