UP govt renames Agra's Mughal Museum to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum

During a review meeting on Monday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath directed officials to rename the under-construction Mughal Museum in Agra to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum.

Mughal Museum in Agra has been renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum. The decision was taken on Monday by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a review meeting with Agra's officials.

One news agency reported that the UP CM asked officials, "How can Mughals be our heroes?" during the review meeting on Monday.

Construction of this museum near the Taj Mahal began in 2016 and was supposed to be complete by 2017. However, construction is still underway. Reports suggest that the non-availability of funds led to delay in construction apart from the deferred establishment of the state electricity department's storeroom on part of the 5.9-acre land allocated for the museum.

Renowned firm David Chipperfield Architects along with Noida-based Studio Archohm has been working on this museum located a little over a kilometre from the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal, the 17th Century monument built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to some estimates, this project was initially estimated to cost the state government Rs 20 crore. This figure was tabled by the Uttar Pradesh government in its first Supplementary Budget in 2019.

This museum was part of a larger project proposed by the Samajwadi Party (SP) government in UP. In 2016, the then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had announced the opening of Taj Orientation Centre, Agra Heritage Centre Agra street cafe and the Mughal Museum.

Illustrations of the proposed museum available on David Chipperfield Architects' official website show a public roof terrace with an open pavilion overlooking the Taj Mahal. It also proposed temporary exhibitions on the ground floor along with an auditorium and gift shop.