Archaeology Gallery

Archaeology Gallery: On the right side in the Archaeological gallery one can find the display of stone sculptures, memorial stones and terracotta’s. The memorial stones of Chamba form a unique chapter in the history of Indian Art. These slabs are decorated with such motifs as lotus roundels, meandering creepers, striding elephants, horse-riders, foot soldiers, Hamsa, Varunas, Shiv-linga, Sheshashayi Vishnu, Ganga and Yamuna and interlacing snakes, etc. such type of memorial stones is noticed in the region, particularly in Churah area. These slabs were found near the source of water and are also known as fountains stones. These stones not only show the artistic skill but also afford an important historical record. The inscriptions engraved on these stones provide us with good perspectives of the political history and its relation with the adjoining areas. These stones evoke their association with certain stages of the social and economic evolution of the society. Sculptures from different region of Chamba and the other parts of Himachal Pradesh are also displayed in the gallery, which are the ideal specimens of the Pratihara style in comparison with the Kashmir style of art. Some sculptures of Mathura school are also on display. In addition to these some terracotta, s of Shunga, Kushana and Gupta period are also on display.