19.03.2026 : Governor inaugurates Gallery of History and Archives at Lok Bhavan

Governor inaugurates Gallery of History and Archives at Lok Bhavan

Gallery to exhibit selected photographs and archival documents spanning 150 years

Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurated ‘Governor’s Gallery of History and Archives’ at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan on Thursday (19 Mar).

The Gallery features a curated collection of photographs depicting significant historical events, meetings with national dignitaries, and important archival documents from the past 150 years. The Governor appreciated the Gallery of History and Archives and called for bringing to public domain more such documents and photographs of historic importance.

Secretary to the Governor Dr. Prashant Narnaware and Public Relations Officer Umesh Kashikar briefed the Governor about the significance of the photographs and archival documents displayed in the gallery.

It may be recalled that on 14 June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Gallery of Indian Revolutionaries ‘Kranti Gatha’ in the British-era bunker at Lok Bhavan.

The new ‘Governor’s Gallery’, showcasing history and archival records in photographic form, has now been developed in the same bunker. Visitors to Lok Bhavan coming after due registration for the visit through the Lok Bhavan website will now be able to visit this gallery.

About the Gallery of History and Archives

During the pre-independence period, the present Lok Bhavan served as the ‘Government House’ of the Bombay Presidency. In 1950, after India became a Republic, it became the Raj Bhavan of Bombay State. Following the formation of Maharashtra on 1 May 1960, it became the Raj Bhavan of Maharashtra. Recently, on 25 November 2025, the Raj Bhavan was renamed ‘Lok Bhavan’. Panels depicting select moments and documents from all these phases have been displayed in the gallery.

The gallery includes panels on notable events such as the visit of Viceroy Lord Curzon (1898), the visit of the Prince of Wales George (1905), three visits of Mahatma Gandhi (1915, 1931), a 1947 government circular directing the singing of “Vande Mataram” instead of “God Save the King” on Independence Day, a condolence message sent by the Governor to Viceroy Lord Mountbatten after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948), a 1949 government order to withdraw the portrait of King George VI and install that of Mahatma Gandhi, a letter sent by the Governor to Dahyabhai Patel following the demise of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1950), photographs of a fashion parade organised at Raj Bhavan in presence of Queen Elizabeth II (1961), reception of the first Moon lander Neil Armstrong (1969) in Raj Bhavan, and photographs of the reception hosted by the President of India in Raj Bhavan to celebrate Indian cricket team winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Joint Secretary to the Governor S. Ramamoorthy, Comptroller of the Governor’s Households Dr. Nishikant Deshpande, Director of Karve Institute of Social Service Prof. Mahesh Thakur, along with other officers and staff were present.

The gallery has been conceptualised by Public Relations Officer Umesh Kashikar. The display and design of the photographs have been curated by Nidhi Bolar, with support from the Karve Institute of Social Service.