Shri Badal Bhoi State Tribal Museum

The Shri Badal Bhoi State Tribal Museum is a prominent cultural institution dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage and diversity of the indigenous tribes of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It’s situated near Khajri Chowk, on Circular Road, Chhindwara HO.

• Naming and History:

  • The Tribal Museum was initially established in Chhindwara on April 20, 1954.
  • It gained “State Museum” status in 1975.
  • On September 8, 1997, it was renamed “Shri Badal Bhoi State Tribal Museum” in honor of Shri Badal Bhoi, a revolutionary tribal leader and freedom fighter from the Chhindwara district, revered as the “Gandhi of Chhindwara” for his non-violent resistance against British rule.
  • The museum recently underwent a significant renovation, costing around Rs 33 crore, and was virtually inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

• Exhibits and Collection:

  • The museum aims to depict the tribal culture of approximately 45 tribal communities living in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
  • Exhibits are organized thematically and cover various aspects of tribal life, including:
    • Traditional houses and lifestyles: Models and displays showcase the homes of tribes like Gond, Korku, Bhil, and Sahariya, highlighting their dependency on natural resources.
    • Clothing and ornaments: Intricately crafted tribal costumes and jewelry adorned with beads, shells, and stones.
    • Weapons and agricultural tools: Arms, bows, arrows, and implements used by tribal communities.
    • Art and crafts: Pottery, weaving, basketry, wood carving, and traditional paintings, including designs of tribal tattoos.
    • Music and dance: Traditional musical instruments (dholaks, ektaras, mridangs) and representations of tribal dances and celebrations.
    • Religious activities and deities: Depictions of their worship of mother earth, mountains, rivers, and other religious practices.
    • Herbal collection: Showcasing their knowledge of medicinal plants.
    • Contribution of Tribal Freedom Fighters: The renovated museum specifically highlights the legacies of prominent tribal heroes like Tantya Bhil, Bhima Nayak, Shankar Shah, and Raghunath Shah through various artistic mediums including bamboo crafts, ironwork, clay crafts, and traditional paintings.
    • Unique artifacts like peacock feather shields and distinctive posthumous pillars of the Korku tribe are also displayed.

• Significance:

  • It is considered the oldest and largest Tribal Museum in Madhya Pradesh.
  • It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the rich traditions, ancient culture, and history of tribal communities.
  • The museum also hosts cultural events, workshops, and performances, fostering interaction with tribal artists.
  • It has a library and research center with a collection of books and journals on tribal culture and history.