Opening next Janurary, a museum honouring Shivaji’s legacy in Agra. Here are the details

The museum also has the 1857 freedom struggle-themed ‘Pioneers Gallery’ featuring Rani Laxmibai, Nana Saheb and Tatya Tope.

The museum also has separate galleries describing UP’s festivals and rivers, and another that provides a detailed account of Agra during the Mughal era and the present day.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Thursday reviewed the construction of the museum and instructed officials to complete the building by January to ensure a timely inauguration.

He said the museum should not remain a static display, but evolve as a living, interactive experience where visitors can connect with India’s glorious past. Each gallery, he directed, must include thematic and technology-driven presentations that turn visitors into active participants.

The Chief Minister also instructed that the ‘Gallery of Pioneers’ should preserve and display memorabilia, artefacts, and documents related to the freedom fighters of 1857, narrating the story of those who laid the foundation of India’s Independence.

He said the gallery should honour the legacy of Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb, Tatya Tope, and other heroes through modern digital displays.

Regarding the ‘Festivals Gallery’, CM Adityanath said it should bring to life the major festivals of Uttar Pradesh — Mahashivratri and Dev Deepawali in Kashi, Shri Krishna Janmotsav and Rangotsav in Braj, and Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj — through immersive sound, light, and colour experiences, rather than static photographs.

He further directed that the ‘Gallery of Rivers’ depict the faith, culture, and folk life surrounding sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Saryu, and Ghaghra, while sections such as ‘Devasur Sangram’ should showcase Indian philosophical interpretations of creation, religion, and human values.

‘Every element should depict cultural soul of UP’

The Chief Minister directed that every artwork, sculpture, and architectural element in the museum should embody the cultural soul of Uttar Pradesh. He said every wall, courtyard, and artwork must tell a story, showcasing a fusion of folk art, traditional crafts, and modern creativity.

He further instructed that an ‘Agra Gallery’ be developed to highlight the city’s architectural and cultural legacy, allowing visitors to experience Mughal architecture, Braj culture, and modern Agra.

He directed the officials to create an ‘Orientation Gallery’ to introduce visitors to the museum’s vision, Shivaji Maharaj’s life, and the socio-cultural milieu of his time.

Adityanath said the museum should not merely preserve the past but serve as a centre of inspiration for the future. He called for the use of interactive technology, virtual reality, digital archives, and sound-light shows across all galleries to create an immersive experience.

Directing the Culture Department and construction agencies to review progress weekly, the Chief Minister insisted that all work be completed on schedule and to a high standard, adding that the museum will enhance Agra’s global identity and become a living symbol of UP’s cultural pride.