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BIHAR MUSEUM RANKED 9TH GLOBALLY AND 1ST IN ASIA

01 Nov 2026

Tags: Prelims   Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Indian Express

Context: Patna's Bihar Museum secured 9th position globally and 1st in Asia in the World's 100 Best Museums list published by international travel guide Worth a Journey.

Bihar Museum: Key Facts

  • Location: Bailey Road, Patna, Bihar.
  • Operational since: 2017.
  • Area: 13.9 acres; built-up area of 273,500 sq. ft.
  • Significance: Only Asian museum among the global top 10 in the ranking.
  • Architecture: Designed by Maki and Associates, featuring open courtyards, natural lighting and green spaces.
  • Collections: Chronological galleries covering Bihar's history from the Stone Age to modern times.

Important Collections

  • Didarganj Yakshi: 3rd-century BCE polished sandstone sculpture.
  • Pala art: Rare Kurkihar bronze sculptures.
  • Nalanda: Ancient stone sculptures.
  • Regional art: Madhubani paintings, Patna Qalam paintings and Sikki grass crafts.
  • Also houses coins, manuscripts, archaeological artefacts and folk art.

Additional Prelims Facts

  • Didarganj Yakshi: Famous for its highly polished Mauryan-style sandstone finish and fly-whisk (Chamara) held in the right hand.
  • Patna Qalam: A school of miniature painting that developed in Bihar, influenced by Mughal painting traditions.
  • Sikki craft: Traditional craft of Bihar involving the use of golden-coloured sikki grass to make decorative and utility products.

Prelims Question

Q1. With reference to the art and cultural heritage of Bihar, consider the following pairs:

Art/ArtefactAssociated feature
1. Didarganj YakshiPolished sandstone sculpture holding a fly-whisk
2. Patna QalamPainting tradition influenced by Mughal miniature painting
3. Kurkihar sculpturesBronze sculptures associated with the Pala period
4. Sikki craftTraditional craft involving golden-coloured grass

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

All four pairs are correctly matched.

  • Didarganj Yakshi: A famous polished sandstone sculpture, generally dated to the 3rd century BCE, holding a fly-whisk (Chamara).
  • Patna Qalam: A distinctive painting tradition that developed in Bihar, drawing influence from Mughal painting.
  • Kurkihar sculptures: Renowned bronze images associated with the Pala-period Buddhist artistic tradition.
  • Sikki craft: Traditional craft of Bihar using golden-coloured sikki grass to manufacture decorative and utility products.

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