LOTHAL TOWN
Lothal Town is about re-imagining a mini Harappan town, that shall take the visitors on a voyage of a historical setting to an old Harappan town. This shall be created within the central courtyard of the museum surrounded by a water body reflecting on creating an ambience of an old Lothal Dock. A large gathering space shall be created for the visitors to sit back and enjoy evening shows within the Lothal town. This will have a re-creation of key maritime features such as architectural and urban planning of the three Harappan sites replicating the ancient houses, streets and markets of the Harappan settlements. The town shall be developed to be an engaging space for visitors experiencing walkthroughs, workshops, food stalls and market places. The market place will be a unique way of bartering things like old times where societies existed without money and void of any medium of exchange.
Galleries
Gallery 1
Orientation and Oceanic Mythologies
This Gallery provides a glimpse of all the 14 galleries. The science of Ocean, underwater archaeology and Indian mythologies related to the Ocean will be showcased. Visitors will be engaged in virtual tours of cultural timeline with interactive storytelling. The pantheon of Oceanic divine beings such as Vishnu, Varuna, Ganga, Yamuna and others will also be on display.
Gallery 2
Harappans- The Pioneer Seafarers
This gallery includes several aspects of Harappan life and culture. Inland and International trade along with the export and import of goods with the Persian Gulf, Oman, Mesopotamia, and Egypt will be showcased. Port cities such as Lothal (where the earliest man-made dockyard has been excavated), Dholavira and many others along the Makran coast will also be shown.
Gallery 3
Post Harappan Trajectories: Impact of Climate Change
This Gallery tells the story of the movement of people after the decline of the Harappan Civilisation, and the transfer of metal technologies to other parts of Indian subcontinent and beyond. Trade routes namely Uttarapatha, Dakshinapatha, the emergence of the money economy, development of scripts, etc. will be part of this gallery.
Gallery 4
India’s Contact with the Greco- Roman World
This gallery contains details of India’s contact with mainly the Greco-Roman World and Persian Gulf countries, the port cities of India both along the East and West coasts, the hinterland trade network, the function of market towns, various passes, ghats Buddhist caves, export and import of items during the Early Historic India. Also cultural as well as economic impact on India and Greco-Roman world resulting from the maritime contacts will be showcased.
Gallery 5
Special Exhibitions Gallery
The special exhibitions gallery will be utilised for temporary exhibitions and events which will be hosted periodically. It will also incorporate interactive elements such as touchscreens, hands-on activities related to the exhibition theme to engage visitors actively. This gallery will offer collaboration with other cultural institutions, artists, or community groups from all across the globe, to add diversity and a broader perspective to the exhibitions.
Gallery 6
Evolution of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard
This gallery will showcase the glorious journey of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. It will also exhibit various types of naval crafts, guns and equipment along with the history of various battles fought by the Indian Navy. This gallery will also narrate the role of Indian Navy and Coast Guard during peace time and in the protection of maritime resources of the country.
