PM Modi lays foundation stone for Museum of Royal Kingdoms of India near Statue of Unity

On the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Museum of Royal Kingdoms of India, a tribute to the nation’s unity, heritage, and princely legacy.

The project, estimated at ₹367 crore, will be constructed on five acres of land near the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

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A government release stated, “Under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, the rulers of the princely states were persuaded to accede to India through the Instrument of Accession.”

By 1949, nearly all princely states had joined the Indian Union, laying the foundation for a unified and sovereign Republic, the statement added.

This peaceful unification stands as a testament to India’s spirit of diplomacy, inclusivity, and nation-building, as per the press release.

Museum of Royal Kingdoms of India

The Museum of the Royal Kingdom of India, will serve as a national repository celebrating India’s royal heritage with galleries of regalia, artefacts, textiles, manuscripts, paintings, and archival materials from various dynasties and princely… pic.x.com/AStPsJR2Ie

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 31, 2025

The museum will showcase galleries featuring regalia, artefacts, textiles, manuscripts, paintings, and archival materials from dynasties and princely states across the country. The four thematic galleries will offer an immersive storytelling experience of India’s history through digital installations and experiential displays.

The project highlights the monumental task of India’s political amalgamation post-Independence, when over 550 princely states joined the Indian Union under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This peaceful unification, achieved through diplomacy and persuasion, remains a cornerstone of India’s nation-building.

The primary goals of the establishment include preserving the legacy of princely states, showcasing their contributions to India’s unity and cultural identity, and serving as a centre for research and public learning on India’s regal and democratic heritage.

“It aims to preserve the memory of the past while inspiring future generations with the timeless spirit of unity and sacrifice,” said the press release.

The museum’s architectural design will harmonise with its natural surroundings, featuring water bodies, fountains, courtyards, and royal garden-inspired landscapes. It will also include a Museum Café offering royal cuisine.

The four galleries, Orientation Gallery, The Throne and the State, The Story of India’s Integration, and Hall of Unity, will collectively narrate the saga of India’s journey from princely sovereignties to a united republic.