CSMVS Unveils New Exhibitions Revealing Mumbai's Hidden Historical Treasures

Visitors to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya can now step into two long-running exhibitions that place Mumbai’s story at the centre. “Roots of a City, The Pathare Prabhus of Mumbai” opened on 19 May and continues without a fixed end date, while “Networks of the Past” runs from 12 December 2025 until November 2028.

These shows arrive at a moment when families and schools in Mumbai seek indoor activities during the monsoon months. The museum’s own July 2026 events calendar lists workshops and open activities through the end of the month, giving residents a clear schedule for planning trips.

The Pathare Prabhus exhibition focuses on one of the city’s early communities, using objects and documents drawn from the museum’s own holdings. “Networks of the Past” broadens the lens to trade routes and connections that shaped the port city over centuries. Both displays sit within the permanent galleries that cover archaeology, decorative arts and natural history.

Collections and Digital Access

The museum maintains physical collections that range from stone tools, now featured in the separate “The Stone Age, Journey Through Time” exhibition running until November 2028, to later period artefacts. Researchers and students can consult the library and published catalogues listed on the site. For those unable to visit in person, the institution offers an interactive learning portal and digital exhibitions that reproduce selected objects and themes.

Separate sections of the website cater to children and families, schools, caregivers and people with disabilities, listing amenities, learning aids and accessibility facilities. The same pages detail the Museum on Wheels programme that takes selected material beyond the main building.

Planning a Visit

Anyone preparing a trip should first check the “Plan your day” and “Visit us” pages for opening times and current amenities. The events calendar for July 2026 provides dates for workshops and family programmes that run alongside the exhibitions. A preview video for “Networks of the Past” is available on the museum’s YouTube channel for those who want an advance look.

Further practical information, including how to book activity packs or join lectures, appears under the relevant audience headings on csmvs.in. The site also carries details on patronage and adoption schemes for those who wish to support the collections directly.