The Government Museum, Mathura

The Government Museum, Mathura previously known as the Archaeological Museum, is famous for its rich collecton of early Indian sculptures, particularly of the Kushana period. It was fonded in 1874 by Mr. F.S. Growse, the then District Collector and a great archaelogist. The traditions associating Mathura with the birth of Lord Krishna, the visit of the Buddha and of several Jain pontiffs made it a place of great attention for the followers of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. As a result, many places o worship sprang up in this city. However, later they lost their glory and became targets of vandalism by the foreign invaders. The monasteries which lay ruined gradually developed into several mounds in Mathura and its neigbourhood. These sites attracted the attention of archaelogists and Indologists who explored and excavated different mounds in search of art treasures. 

The characteristic features of Mathura School of Art are as follows:- i) Use of spotted red and stone; ii) Continuance of early art forms of Central India (particularly of Bharhut); iii) Fusion of primitive yaksha cult with pantheon of other sects; iv) Replacement of symbols by the anthropromorphic forms; v) Assimilation of foreign elements; vi) Development of new art forms; vii) Introduction of portrait figures; and viii) Exposition of feminine beauty with great delicacy and charm.

The two commemorative postage stamps issued during this centenary year were issued 'se-tenant' and show a lady playing a flute under a tree full of flowers and a Vidyadhara hovering in the air with a garland in his hands.