CSMVS Museum in Mumbai unveils ‘Networks of the Past’ ancient world study gallery

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai unveils its new educational initiative, “Networks of the Past: A Study Gallery of India and the Ancient World” (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Designed to explore how ancient civilisations were interconnected through trade and cultural exchange, the gallery brings India’s early history into a broader global context (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

A large model of the ancient Harappan city of Dholavira greets visitors, highlighting the sophistication of urban planning nearly 5,000 years ago (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Approximately 300 archaeological objects from 15 institutions have been assembled to trace long-distance trade and shared beliefs across ancient civilisations (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The gallery was developed over four years with contributions from more than a hundred experts, researchers and conservators (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Exhibits include items from the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and the Greco-Roman world, reflecting complex exchange networks among ancient societies (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Curators emphasise a thematic approach to storytelling, challenging isolated, nation-focused views of ancient history (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The gallery features Harappan artefacts such as standardized weights and carnelian beads, illustrating their role in trade that extended beyond the subcontinent (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Collaboration for the gallery involved seven international museums, eight Indian lenders, and support from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The newly opened gallery aims to inspire visitors to rethink ancient history through interconnected human experiences, showcasing how early civilisations exchange ideas, goods and technologies (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The ‘Networks of the Past’ gallery at CSMVS encourages visitors of all ages to engage with India’s ancient heritage (Source: Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)