Prince of Wales, king George V, laid the foundation stone of this museum in 1905. Situated near the Gateway of India, it was designed in the Indo-Saracenic style to commemorate the king's first visit to India. It is set in ornamental garden and boasts a galleried central hall topped by a huge dome. During the first world war, it was used as a hospital.

It was opened as a museum in 1923 and has three main sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. It is a treasure house of art, sculpture, china, rare coins and old firearms. It also has a priceless collection of miniature paintings.

The glistering white marble dome crowning this building can be sighted from a distance as it lies nestled amidst well-laid out gardens.