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The Toshakhana Museum at Dhaka

AN ANTHOLOGY OF HISTORY
Inside the premises of Bangabandhu Military Museum, another aesthetic museum is set called Toshakhana Museum or the Treasury Museum. Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took the initiatives of establishing a national treasury back in 1974, which is presently located at the Bangabhaban. Due to the keen interest of the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the treasury museum was established. Most of the gifts that were presented to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as well as the ones PM received herself, are being exhibited at the treasury museum.
The Museum
The treasury museum is inside the premises of the newly inaugurated military museum, which is one of the most modern buildings in the country. The project was carried out by the E in C branch of Bangladesh Army. Ali Imam and Bayezid Khandaker were the lead architects.
The museum itself has been built in ellipsis shape with five floors. The ground floor, first and second floor and the basements —one and two.
Down to up ramps allow the spectators to climb easily from the basements. The ramp is covered with unfinished granite allowing more friction and easy movement. Inside the ellipsis, a beautifully crafted dome displays a painting of architect Ali Imam. Nazneen Haque Mimi played the role of interior designer and did a spectacular job in detailing the museum so it’s more pleasing to viewers.
All the floors are marble-clad and different coloured marbles indicate traffic flow, making it easier for spectators. White false ceiling, combined with automated essential lights make the details more appealing to visitors. Spectra Engineers Ltd. served as the developing partner. The museum is regulated by the Cabinet Division and managed by Director Md Monirul Islam.
Basement and Ground Floor
At the entry point of the museum, a map of Bangladesh is presented, which was arranged by Nazneen Haque Mimi. A near-perfect sculpture of Bangabandhu by artist Sudipto Sweden sits on a huge antique marble base at the centre point of the museum.
The ground floor acts as an ‘Introduction to Bangladesh,’ as it depicts its heritage and history, important points of interest across the country. Religious spots like Armenian church, Kali Mandir, Buddhist Temple, etc. are being displayed in the introductory representations, along with a number of photographs and images that depict the culture of Bangladesh.
Histories of our freedom fight, language movement are also being illustrated here, which will be a guide for the younger generation as well as foreigners who are interested in Bangladesh.
In addition to that, the constant progress of Bangladesh in different sectors and significant events and points of interests are also being displayed through images. Souvenirs presented to the Presidents are also being displayed here.
Basement two, the one at the bottom, plays the role of a storeroom where a number of national gifts are being stored while basement one plays host to the gifts that the presidents were presented with.
Bangabandhu Gallery
The first floor holds the first gallery which is called the Bangabandhu Gallery. Here, the life of Bangabandhu has been illustrated in all its glory and grandeur in aesthetically black and white hue. About 33 very rare gifts are being displayed here.
Audio kiosks allow visitors to listen to Bangabandhu’s “The Unfinished Memoirs” as well as use one of the signage monitors to learn about the homecoming speech of Bangabandhu on 10th January or the historic speech of 7th March which has been recognised by UNESCO in 2017 and now on the list of the Memory of the World Register of UNESCO. The English version of the speech is also available.
Second Floor
The second floor holds the exhibition of all the foreign gifts and they are being displayed in groups, having been categorised according to continents and countries. Pictures of different presidents of Bangladesh with different presidents of countries all across the world are exhibited here.
All the galleries have been furnished with digital kiosk, signage, info kiosk and audio kiosk by ‘Colours of Bangladesh.’ Audiences are free to use any of these gadgets to browse through the displayed photos or look up any relevant information.
With the rich collection of artefacts and photos, The Toshakhana Museum is a testament of history. Anyone who is interested in the diverse history, culture and diplomatic relationships of Bangladesh would be thrilled upon a visit to this state-of-the-art museum.
By Ashif Ahmed Rudro
Photo: Tamim Sujat