Set in the old military quarter of Chhauni at the foot of Swayambhu hill, the National Museum did not begin as a place to admire art — it began as an arsenal. That legacy can still be seen in some of its oldest galleries, even though the institution has since expanded to cover centuries of Nepali sculpture, painting and natural history.
From arsenal to national museum
The building was constructed as an arsenal, traditionally attributed to Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in the early 19th century. Under Chandra Shumsher it became the Silkhana Museum in 1926, and Juddha Shumsher renamed it the Nepal Museum in 1938. It opened to the public on 12 February 1939, was renamed the National Museum in 1968, and has been managed by the Department of Archaeology since 1962. Its weapons gallery includes items such as leather cannons captured in the Nepal–Tibet war of 1792.
In later decades the museum’s scope grew far beyond weapons. Additional buildings were brought in to house sculpture, paintings, coins and archaeological objects, transforming what began as a specialised arms display into a general historical and cultural museum representing Nepal’s artistic and political history.
The museum complex
Two collecting traditions in one compound
The original weapons and armour galleries, plus stone and metal sculpture spanning Nepal’s history.
Separate buildings within the compound devoted to natural history specimens and to Buddhist art and iconography.
Today’s compound has several buildings, each with its own focus, which lets the museum present a wide range of material — from centuries-old stone carvings to taxidermied wildlife specimens — without crowding it into a single gallery space.
Source: Wikipedia, National Museum of Nepal; Department of Archaeology, Government of Nepal
Collections and highlights
Among its most notable holdings, the museum has an extensive weapons collection documenting Nepal’s military history, along with stone and metal sculptures depicting Hindu and Buddhist deities that show how Nepali religious art developed over the centuries. The coin collection offers a glimpse of the economic history of the Kathmandu Valley’s historic kingdoms before the unified Nepali rupee.
A separate Buddhist art gallery in the compound focuses on thangka paintings, bronze statues and religious objects, while the Natural History Museum in the same compound displays specimens of Nepal’s wildlife.
✦ Did you know?
- The museum compound stands on the grounds of a former military arsenal and covers about 50 ropani (roughly 27 hectares).
- The name Chhauni comes from a word associated with military barracks of the Rana administration.
- The Juddha Jatiya Kala Bhavan, an art building in front of the museum, was opened by Juddha Shumsher in 1943.
Buildings in the complex
| Building | Focus |
|---|---|
| Main historic building | Weapons, coins and banknotes |
| Buddhist Art Gallery | Paintings, sculptures and ritual objects |
| Natural History Museum | Mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and other specimens |
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Museum of Nepal?
The National Museum of Nepal at Chhauni, Kathmandu is Nepal’s national museum, holding weapons, art, Buddhist art, natural history specimens and coins spanning Nepal’s history. It is often described as the first Nepali museum.
When was the National Museum of Nepal established?
The building at Chhauni began as an arsenal. It became the Silkhana Museum in 1926, was renamed the Nepal Museum in 1938, opened to the public on 12 February 1939, and has been called the National Museum since 1968.
Where is the National Museum located?
The National Museum of Nepal is at Chhauni at the foot of Swayambhu hill on the western side of Kathmandu, inside a historic complex once used for military purposes.
What can visitors see at the National Museum?
Visitors can see historic weapons and armour, sculptures and artworks reflecting Nepal’s Buddhist and Hindu traditions, coins, and separate buildings devoted to natural history and Buddhist art.
Is the National Museum different from other museums in Kathmandu?
Yes. The National Museum at Chhauni is distinct from other Kathmandu Valley museums such as the Patan Museum and the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum, and is regarded as the principal historical museum representing Nepal at the national level.
What was the National Museum of Nepal called earlier?
It was the Silkhana Museum (1926), then the Nepal Museum (1938), and became the National Museum in 1968.
Who runs the National Museum of Nepal?
It is run by the Government of Nepal through the Department of Archaeology.
