The Survey Museum is a fascinating museum located in the city of Dehradun in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It was established in 1954 and is dedicated to showcasing the history and evolution of surveying in India. The museum is managed by the Survey of India, a national survey and mapping organization of the Indian government.
The museum is spread over two floors and has a vast collection of equipment and tools used in surveying, cartography, and geodesy. The museum's ground floor showcases a range of surveying instruments like theodolites, levels, compasses, and chains used in different eras. These instruments measured and mapped various parts of India, from the Himalayan peaks to the southern coast. The collection includes some rare and antique tools dating back to the 18th century.
The first floor of the museum houses exhibits on the history and evolution of surveying in India. It displays the techniques and methods developed and used over the years, including trigonometric and triangulation surveys, geodetic surveys, and photogrammetric surveys. There are also exhibits on mapping India's boundaries, the history of the Great Trigonometric Survey, and the making of topographical maps.
The museum also has a library that houses a vast collection of books, journals, and maps related to surveying and cartography. The museum is a treasure trove of information for students and researchers interested in geography, geology, and cartography.
The Survey Museum is near the Survey of India office in Hathibarkala, Dehradun. It is open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm on all weekdays except for national holidays. The entry fee for the museum is minimal, and visitors can take guided tours to understand the exhibits better. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history of surveying and mapping in India.
Places To Visit Near Survey Museum:
The Survey Museum, located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history of surveying in India. It is the only museum in India dedicated to surveying and was established in 1953. The museum is run by the Survey of India, the country's premier surveying and mapping agency.
The museum has an impressive collection of surveying instruments, maps, and artefacts, dating back to the 18th century. The collection includes theodolites, levels, compasses, and chains, all used in surveying and mapping. There are also several models of surveying equipment which demonstrate the use of these instruments.
The "Great Trigonometrical Survey" gallery is one of the museum's highlights. The Great Trigonometrical Survey was a project conducted by the Survey of India in the 19th century to map the Indian subcontinent. The gallery displays the history and achievements of the survey, as well as the equipment and techniques used.
There is also a gallery dedicated to the Survey of India's contribution to the country's defence, including the creation of military maps and surveys of the country's borders.