Bihar Museum in Patna has secured the ninth position in the 2026 edition of the World’s 100 Best Museums list, published by Germany-based independent travel publication Worth a Journey. The institution is ranked first in Asia and is the only Indian museum featured among the 100 entries. Its position places it ahead of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, popularly known as The Met, which ranked 10th, and Paris’s Louvre, placed 31st.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary welcomed the recognition, while Anjani Kumar Singh, Director General of Bihar Museum, described it as a matter of pride and achievement. The recognition has brought international attention to Bihar’s historical collections, cultural traditions and efforts to preserve its heritage.
Global Recognition
According to Worth a Journey’s 2026 ranking, Bihar Museum is the ninth-best museum globally and the highest-ranked institution in Asia. The list features 100 museums across 37 countries, with India represented by Bihar Museum alone.
Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de Antropología secured the first position, followed by Madrid’s Museo del Prado in second place and Denmark’s Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in third. Russia’s State Hermitage Museum ranked fourth, while Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum secured fifth place.
Bihar Museum’s ninth-place position puts it ahead of several internationally recognised institutions, including The Met at 10th and the Louvre at 31st. Worth a Journey describes itself as a travel guide and publisher that produces rankings across categories such as museums, libraries, parks, palaces and hotels. Its 2026 list identifies Bihar Museum as the highest-ranked museum in Asia.
The Bihar Museum has been ranked No. 1 in Asia and among the world’s best! This is a proud moment for Bharat, bringing its glorious civilisational legacy into the global spotlight. True to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision of ‘Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi’, Bihar is embracing modern development while rekindling pride in its rich heritage and cultural identity.
— Nitin Nabin (@NitinNabin) October 29, 2026
Officials React
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary welcomed the achievement through a social media post, highlighting the museum’s international position and its recognition as Asia’s highest-ranked institution on the list.
Anjani Kumar Singh, Director General of Bihar Museum, said the recognition reflected the vision behind establishing the institution and its ambition to meet international standards.
“The vision was to create a museum that meets world-class standards. Today, as the museum has gained international recognition, we feel a sense of pride and achievement,” Singh said, according to The Times of India.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, also welcomed the recognition. In a post on X, he described it as a significant moment for India’s museum sector and expressed hope that it would encourage a museum renaissance in the country. He also acknowledged former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s role in conceiving and championing the institution, alongside the efforts of the Bihar Government and its administrators.
Museum’s History
The idea of establishing Bihar Museum emerged in 2009 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The project aimed to create a dedicated institution that could preserve and present Bihar’s extensive historical and cultural heritage through a modern museum experience.
Located on Nehru Path in Patna, the museum was partially opened to the public in August 2015. During this initial phase, visitors could access the Children’s Museum, the main entrance area and the orientation theatre. The remaining galleries opened in October 2017, expanding the institution’s exhibitions and visitor facilities.
The museum was developed through collaboration between Indian and Japanese architectural firms. Its design was undertaken by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki’s Maki & Associates, working with Mumbai-based Studio Opolis. The institution occupies approximately 5.6 hectares and has a built-up area of around 24,000 square metres.
Collections And Heritage
Bihar Museum presents the state’s history through collections spanning different historical periods, from early human settlements and ancient civilisations to the modern era. Its exhibits include ancient sculptures, archaeological artefacts, coins, manuscripts and traditional, folk and contemporary artworks.
Among its notable exhibits is the Didarganj Yakshi, a celebrated sculpture carved from Chunar sandstone. The museum also houses the Kurkihar bronzes, prehistoric stone tools and a Kushan-period stone slab depicting the Birth of Buddha.
Its galleries explore the region’s historical development, artistic traditions and cultural influences. A dedicated Children’s Gallery introduces younger visitors to history through interactive exhibits, encouraging them to engage with the past beyond conventional displays.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Bihar Museum’s international recognition is an opportunity to celebrate India’s diverse cultural heritage and the institutions working to preserve it. Museums are not merely repositories of historical objects; they help communities understand their roots, appreciate different traditions and pass collective memories to future generations.
Such recognition should encourage governments to invest in regional museums, protect archaeological treasures and make cultural education accessible to everyone. India’s heritage belongs to all its people, and preserving it requires collective responsibility.
How can India use this recognition to strengthen its museums and bring lesser-known regional histories into the national and international spotlight?
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