About LDII
Founded in 1956, the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology at Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, is dedicated to the collection, preservation and restoration of ancient Indian manuscripts and artifacts. It provides scholars a wonderful opportunity for research and study. This prestigious Institution came into being as a result of the efforts of two visionaries - a revered Jain saint- Agamprabhakar Muni Shri Punyavijayji Maharaj, and a philanthropic industrialist Sheth Kasturbhai Lalbhai.
Agamprabhakar Muni Shri Punyavijayji Maharaj, besides being a revered Jain saint, was a learned scholar and a dedicated researcher. In the course of his frequent travels through Gujarat and Rajasthan he came across numerous ancient handwritten manuscripts. All of them required proper conservation, preservation & cataloguing. He made it his life’s mission to ensure that the priceless heritage of manuscripts was properly preserved, studied and made available to scholars. With this objective, he scientifically reorganized several Granth Bhandaras (manuscript holdings) and catalogued their collections. Moreover, he acquired numerous manuscripts from various sources where proper facilities for their preservation did not exist. As such collections grew, he became increasingly aware of the need for a suitable place where these rare and ancient manuscripts could not only be housed and properly taken care of, but also studied in depth and be made available to the scholars for reference and research.
Sheth Kasturbhai Lalbhai was a leading Industrialist. He was a devout Jain, had great respect and regards for Muni Shri Punyavijayji and was closely associated with him. It was but natural, that Muni Shri expressed his wish to Sheth Kasturbhai on the urgent need for setting up an Institution for the preservation of manuscripts and their use for research.
A man of rare foresight and wide-ranging interests, Sheth Kasturbhai was instrumental in promoting and setting up of numerous educational institutions in Gujarat. He took Muni Shri Punyavijayji’s idea to heart and founded the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology in 1956. Initially work started at the L. D. Vada (residence) in the walled city of Ahmedabad.
To set up this institute in a special building, Sheth Kasturbhai, with the whole-hearted support of his family members, came forward with a handsome donation. Muni Shri Punyavijayji most graciously gave his complete collection of over 10,000 rare Manuscripts, many of them illustrated, and over 7,000 rare books. This formed the nucleus of the L D Institute of Indology’s core collection.
The Main objectives of the L D Institute of Indology
· To collect invaluable art treasures of the past, preserve its current collections, for the benefit of posterity.
· To preserve the vast manuscript collection and make it available to scholars for research.
· To provide facilities to the scholars for study and research in Indology.
· To undertake publications of critical editions of unpublished manuscripts.
From its inception, the Institute attracted outstanding scholars in the field of Indological studies such as Padmabhushan Pragnachakshu, Philosopher Pundit Sukhalaji Sanghavi, the great linguist and scholar of prakrit language, Pundit Bechardas Doshi, scholar of Jainology and prakrit apabhramsa, Dr. H. C. Bhayani, historian and versatile scholar Prof. Rasiklal Parikh, sanskrit scholars Padmashri Keshavaram Kashiram Shastri, scholar in nyay, Dr. Jitendra Jetly. The Institute was fortunate in having the eminent Indologist Padmabhusan Pundit Dalsukhbhai Malvania as its Director from 1959 to 1975 and then as an adviser from 1976 to 1988. Dr. Naginbhai Shah, Dr. Ramesh Betai, Dr. J. C. Sikdar, Dr. R. M. Shah, Dr. Tapasvi Nandi and Dr. Y. S. Shastri have also made notable contributions, particularly in the field of research.
The Institute can take pride that the great freedom fighter and Gandhian philosopher and scholar Muni Jinavijayaji was also associated with it. Distinguished critics of Indian Art and Architecture like Dr. Umakant P. Shah, Dr. R. N. Mehta, Padmabhushan Dr. Madhusudan A. Dhaky, Dr. Padmanabh Jaini and other well-known authorities, were associated with the Institution. They have contributed immensely in guiding the Institute and the museum to its present stature.
The Institution has to its credit 154 research publications. Some of them like Treasures of Jaina Bhandars, Ramayana in Pahari Miniature Paintings, and Aspects of Jain Art and Architecture are widely acclaimed.
Present Trustees:
- Shri Samvegbhai A. Lalbhai
- Shri Sunilbhai Siddharthbhai
- Smt. Radhikaben Chiragbhai
- Smt. Jayshriben Sanjaybhai Lalbhai
- Smt. Paulomiben Rajivbhai Lalbhai
Institute Members: Click here to View
Our Team: Click here to View
L D Museum
The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum is one of the finest museums of Indian art and coinage in Gujarat. A wide range of sculptures, bronzes, manuscript paintings, miniature paintings and drawings, wood carving, ancient and contemporary coins, textiles and bead work pieces are displayed. The rich collection spans almost 2000 years of Indian art history, representing the entirety of the Indian subcontinent, north to south and east to west, showcasing the art of India in a comprehensive manner.
Located in the premises of the L D Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, it is situated on a green campus in the western part of the city, adjacent to universities and research institutes such as CEPT, Gujarat University and Ahmedabad University. Being about 7 kms from the railway station and 12 kms from the airport, it is easily accessible from any part of the city by public or private transport.
History of the museum
Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology was established with the joint efforts and vision of Shri. Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the well-known and prominent Ahmedabad based industrialist, and Jain Acharya Muni. Punyavijayji, highly learned and visionary Jain monk and teacher.
Muni. Punyavijayji donated his vast personal collection of written and illustrated manuscripts, bronzes and cloth paintings at the time of establishment of Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Indological Institute. With the passage of time the collection grew both in size and prominence, further receiving generous donations of artefacts from art collectors, which created a need for space exclusively for display of the artifacts. In 1984 a new building adjacent to the L D Institute of Indology was built by internationally acclaimed architect Shri. Balakrishna Doshi. The L D Museum was formally inaugurated by Shri. Brajkumar Nehru, the then Governor of Gujarat in 1985.
The museum was inaugurated as a double storeyed building, the sculptures were displayed on the ground floor, and first floor showcased various objects including the personal belongings of Muni Punyavijayji, illustrated manuscripts, cloth paintings, and bronzes. Subsequently, an extension on the north side was added, which displays the miniature paintings from the NC Mehta Collection, while later another extension displays the coin collection and has a temporary exhibition space.
The museum has continuously been enriched with many new artefacts through donations and gifts. Prominent amongst these are the Kasturbhai Lalbhai collection of miniature drawings, PT Munshaw coin collection, Gopi Anand bead works, Lilavati Lalbhai woodworks and a few important sculptures from Arvind Lalbhai.
Museum building architecture
In 1984 the L D Museum building adjacent to the L D Institute of Indology was built by internationally acclaimed architect Shri. Balakrishna Doshi. The L D Museum was formally inaugurated by Shri. Brajkumar Nehru, the then Governor of Gujarat in 1985.
Mission & Vision:
The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum has a mission to collect, preserve and display our heritage, making it accessible to the public for education and enjoyment. The museum promotes scholarship and endeavours to enrich viewers with the art and culture of our country.
The Museum Collection
The nucleus of the museum collection was formed by the large and generous gift of Muni Punyavijayaji. Subsequently over time, the museum collections have been enriched through substantial donations and gifts of illustrious art collectors. The L D Institute of Indology and the L D Museum resolutely uphold this trust by providing an aesthetic display, scientific conservation, scholarly interpretation and safe storage of its collection.
For more on the Museum Collection, Click here
Present Trustees:
- Shri Sanjaybhai S Lalabhai
- Smt. Jayshreeben S Lalabhai
- Shri Samvegbhai A Lalbhai
- Smt. Radhikaben Chiragbhai
- Shri Sunilbhai Siddharthbhai
- Smt. Paulomiben R Lalbhai
N C Mehta Collection housed at L D Museum
About the N C Mehta Collection
Gujarat Museum Society’s NC Mehta collection of Indian miniature paintings is housed in a special wing at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum, Ahmedabad. A must see for connoisseurs of Indian art. Rich in content, diversity and stylistic approach, the paintings span geographical and historical time lines. Selectively handpicked by the collector, the miniatures are a pleasure to behold. Displayed aesthetically and chronologically over two floors, the paintings showcase the regional schools, styles and periods of Indian miniature art from the 15th to late 19th centuries.
Shri N.C.Mehta (1892-1958)
Shri Nanalal Chamanlal Mehta, son of Shri Chamanlal Chotalal Mehta, was born at Jaramatha, near Ahmedabad, on 17th November 1892. After his initial education at Rajkot, and at Wilson College Bombay, he obtained a BA in Natural Sciences and Economics at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and joined the Indian Civil Service in 1915. At a very young age he was married to Shanta Motilal Shah.
Much of his career was spent in the United Provinces, later known as Uttar Pradesh. His interest in Indian art began with his first posting as an ICS officer in Mathura where he saw some of the great masterpieces of Indian sculpture.
A meeting with the great Shri Rai Krishna Dasa in 1917, by whom he was deeply impressed, led to his lifelong interest in Indian art, literature and painting. His eye for detail led him to become a scholar and connoisseur on the subject. Over the next forty years, he began to collect miniature paintings, at the time unrecognised for their worth and value. The many rare and significant miniature paintings he owned made it one of the world’s most important private collections.
He shared his deep knowledge in his 1926 book, Studies in Indian Painting, (Taraporevala Publication, Bombay) which remains to this day a major contribution to the subject. Gujarati Painting in the 15th Century (The India Society, London) followed in 1931 and then in 1945 a paper titled A New Document of Gujarati Painting- a Gujarati version of Gita Govind (Journal of Gujarat Research Society). Through these books, other papers, and his lectures all over India, he awakened people’s interest in the great beauty and depth of our art.
When in Kashmir on a holiday, he had a heart attack and passed away on 18th May, 1958 at the age of 66 years.
Smt. Shantaben Mehta (1900-1973)
Smt. Shanta Nanalal Mehta, daughter of Shri Motilal Mulchand Shah, was born at Ahmedabad in 1900. After her initial education at the Govt. Girls High School, she was married to Shri Nanalal Mehta in 1915. They had a happy married life and four children.
When Shri N.C.Mehta passed away, some of the leading museums in the world offered to buy his priceless collection. But Smt. Shanta Mehta (at the suggestion of her daughter Smt. Leela Shiveshwarkar) felt there could be no better way to honour his memory than by donating the paintings to the nation. She chose Ahmedabad as both she and her husband had grown up in the city. Another important reason was that Ahmedabad had no such collection in the past.
In 1960, the Gujarat Museum Society was formed as a Public Charitable Trust to facilitate the display of the collection in an aesthetic manner. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation offered to house it at the famous Sanskar Kendra, Paldi, designed by Le Corbusier. On 9th May 1963, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, inaugurated the opening of the collection to the public.
Smt Shanta Mehta passed away on 6th April, 1973 at the age of 73 years.
Over the years, due to the surrounding pollution, some of the paintings began to display signs of strain. After careful consideration, the Board of Trustees decided to shift the exhibit away from the industrial zone. Fortunately, the Governing Board of the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology came forward with a portion of their premises adjacent to the Gujarat University. A new wing to house the collection was designed by the renowned architect of Ahmedabad, Shri B.V. Doshi. The new display of the N.C. Mehta Collection was inaugurated in 1993 by the eminent Art Historian the late Shri Karl Khandalavala.
For more than fifty years, scholars of Indian art have visited Ahmedabad to study this important collection of Indian Miniature Paintings.
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Group photograph with Shri C. Rajagopalachari as First Governor General of Independent India, with his autograph, dated 30-6-1949. N C Mehta with his wife Shantaben, second and third from the right.
What are miniature paintings?
Indian miniature painting can be traced back to 11th century C.E. and is now referred to as such due to its “miniature” scale. It was derived from ‘miniatura’ – the red or vermillion shade used to decorate and mark words in manuscripts. Known for their extraordinary detail and vivid use of colour, miniature paintings were mostly painted on handmade paper. Often accompanying calligraphic texts, be it sacred or secular, they were also venerated as individual illustrations. Subjects ranged from court scenes, religious festivals, royal portraits and animal fables, illustrating religious texts, poetic compositions and great epics. They were exchanged on special occasions as presentation items between kings and courtiers, as well as used to embellish the walls of royal palaces, art galleries and bed chambers.
History of the collection
Art connoisseur and writer - Nanalal C. Mehta (1894 - 1958) was a pioneer in the field of Indian Miniature Painting. Although he was a civil servant, he was renowned in the field of Indian art, as well for his scholarship in Hindi and Sanskrit literature. An art collector with a sensitive eye, who had an opportunity to be posted in the hills of Northern India, he selectively chose the gems of miniature painting, at a time when royalty was disengaging with its collectibles.
He unearthed several significant documents of Indian painting like the Vasanta Vilasa scroll, early Gita-Govinda and folios of Chaurapanchashika series (the latter being the most prized of the collection), and wrote numerous documents on Indian painting. After his demise, the collection was donated to the Gujarat Museum Society, Ahmedabad by his wife, Shanta Mehta.
Earlier housed at the Sanskar Kendra building till 1990, the collection was moved to a new wing at the Lalbahi Dalpatbhai Museum in 1993, where it was formally inaugurated by the eminent art historian, Shri Karl Khandalavala.
Highlights
The miniature paintings of the N C Mehta Collection span a multitude of schools, styles and periods, and are arranged accordingly, giving the viewer a panorama of Indian miniature art. The must-see collections include:
Gujarati and Jain Painting
The N C Mehta Collection houses one of the largest numbers of indigenous Gujarati style paintings in the world, especially from 15th and 16th century Gujarat. This includes original folios of the Kalpasutra - texts from the Svetambara Jaina sect - recounting episodes from the lives of the tirthankaras.
Similar to the dynamic artistic rendering of the Jain school, but instead illustrating the life of young Krishna are also a handful of beautiful Balagopala Stuti paintings.
The early Gita Govinda, c.1525 C.E. comprises of 159 painted folios and is acknowledged as a landmark of transition from Western Indian or Jain style to early Rajasthani Painting perhaps experimented in Gujarat. Depicting the romantic poetry of Jayadeva, through the story of Radha and Krishna, they are a living document of the shared culture and tradition of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The piece de resistance is the set of paintings based on the Chaurapanchashikha verses, i.e. the fifty love lyrics of a thief, composed by Kashmiri poet Bilhana in the 11th century. Renowned for their bold hues and telling of the story of Bilhana (whose poetry saved him from death and enabled him to marry his lover Champavati), most of these rare works are held solely by the N.C Mehta Collection.
Mughal and Persian Painting
The N.C. Mehta collection has a relatively small but impressive set of paintings from the Mughal school. Album pages replete with decorative textiles and floral motifs, as well as portraits of emperors open a window into the splendour of Mughal history in India.
Equally enamouring are the paintings from the Sultanate period style, exemplified through the narrative folios of Sikander Namah (the Persian version of Alexander the Great).
Safavid paintings, farmans (edicts) and illuminated manuscripts of the Quran, with beautiful Persian calligraphy, add a different artistic and cultural dimension to the collection.
Rajasthani Painting
While Rajasthan shares a long southern border with Gujarat, thus also sharing a common heritage, it also shares its northern borders with Punjab, Haryana and UP, and Mughal influences undoubtedly permeated. The collection holds some magnificent portraits of the Rajas of Rajput dynasties, including a few Mughal period portraits, juxtaposed by simpler folkish paintings and decorated book covers.
The manuscripts and paintings of Rasikapriya – rich poetry of Keshavadas – and Satsai – verses of poet, Bihari - celebrate the shringara rasa or aspect of love, beauty and pleasure. The refined realism of these artworks is also carried forth into other Rajasthani folios that adorn the collection, including those from the sub-schools of Mewar, Bundi, Kotah, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaipur.
As visual personifications of ragas (or musical modes), Ragamala paintings combine iconography and verse (doha) to convey mood. Native to Rajasthan, they are among the jewels of the collection.
Central Indian Painting
As the epitome of the Malwa school of Central Indian painting, the collection of Baramasa works are recognized for their elaborate depictions of the seasons. This also includes unique portraits of the Orrcha and Datia dynasty rulers of Bundelkhand and a smattering of other Ragamala paintings.
Pahari Painting
Among the gems of the N C Mehta collection are the Pahari miniatures, hailing from the Himalayan princely states and derived from the word Pahari or ‘mountainous’. The bold and vibrant Gita Govinda from Basohli stands in stark contrast to the mellow and lyrical one from the Guler school. The collection also comprises a vast series of black and white line drawings of the Ramayana, from Kangra, as well as later works from Kulu-Mandi, Nurpur and Chamba.
The N.C. Mehta collection encompasses over 1200 paintings which, in combination with the other L.D. Museum collections, forms the largest collection of Indian paintings in Ahmedabad, and stands among the richest and most diverse in India and the world.
Present Trustees:
- Shri Sanjay Lalabhai
- Smt. Jayshree Lalabhai
- Smt. Radhika C Lalbhai
- Smt. Radhika Mehta Arora
- Smt. Tulsi Badrinath
- Shri Ashok Chatterjee
- Shri Amit Ambalal
- Shri Samveg A Lalbhai
- Shri Kartikeya Sarabhai
- Nominee of Gujarat Government