RBI Museum (An interesting place if you are a fan of Money Heist)

To showcase the history of world currency, the Reserve Bank of India has taken an effort to present it through the Kolkata RBI museum. Not only that, the museum even portrays the evolution that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has gone through in the last 85 years, with the introduction of modern digital currency, and many more.

If you are a person who has an interest in coins and gold or different currencies, then this place is a must-visit. In addition, you can even get to see a few videos, models, and slideshows that explain the changes in a currency that took place over the centuries in India.

Know about RBI

RBI is a body responsible for maintaining and managing a crucial part of the financial structure in the country. Due to this, it is considered as a Central Banking Institution of all. Under a pre-defined policy, the RBI prints paper currencies and makes coins. It was founded on 1st April 1935 and has been serving for almost 85 years. After the country gained its independence on August 15, 1947, RBI was nationalized on 1st January 1949.

Money connection British Kolkata holds

Kolkata has got a lengthy history of banking and minting. Because it was considered the capital of British India, numerous institutions and banks were established. Well still today, many people are unaware that the RBI and State Bank of India (SBI) had both begun their operations at the time of British Calcutta before they were relocated permanently to Mumbai.

Thus, it’s not unusual that with a lengthy history of banking, financial museums can be seen here. Since the year 2007, SBI has got an SBI Archive and Museum in Kolkata. Now, the RBI has created a more elegant, informative, and well-documented museum in Kolkata that started operating in the year 2019.

RBI Building

The museum is not located in the building housing the Kolkata office of RBI. It is located approximately 100 m south of this well-recognized RBI building. The address of the building reads as 8 Council House Street. This iconic red-brick building was built by Sir Rajendra Nath Mookherjee’s Martin Burn and Co.

RBI Museum

The museum lies in the ground and first floor of this red-bricked iconic and heritage building of Council House Street. It is developed by Creative Museum Designers of Kolkata. The aim it holds is to impart knowledge about the heritage and history of currency through fun.

With the aid of instructive displays, dioramas, sculptures, models, audio-video guides, and exhibitions, the RBI museum aims to increase the understanding of the history of financial systems. Visitors especially those who are a fan of money heists will have much entertainment with interactive activities. There is a comprehensive Research Center for enthusiasts and students of economics and researchers.

What do you find in the Museum?

The bottom level of the building was transformed into a museum in 2019 and now houses a permanent exhibit on the “Story of Money”. The money tree built entirely of old defunct coins at the museum’s entrance tells its tale. It also presents the ingenious usage of demonetized currency notes that tells its own story in its shredded state. In addition to it, the entrance also does model a one rupee coin which is known as India’s national currency.

Then visitors can also get to see a section that is dedicated entirely to ancient money production and the process of packaging. With a first-hand look at ancient letterpress, they can even know the details about the printing techniques used before. There are several interactive elements, such as comparing the weight of your body to gold bars and lifting a replica gold bar in its precise weight form.

On the ground level of the museum, there are several areas, each devoted to a different aspect of the notion of currency as money. You can view anything from models of the ancient Egyptian commerce system to one-of-a-kind coins from throughout the world. Most importantly, being a part of the RBI museum, this section also showcases the change and evolution that monetary policies had in the nation in its history.

Location of RBI Museum & How to reach

It is housed in the red-bricked building at 8 Council House Street in the business area of BBD Bagh of Central Kolkata.

Being the most accessible location of Kolkata, you can get multiple modes of transport to BBD Bagh to reach the RBI museum. The museum remains open for 6 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding any national holiday. You can easily visit the museum as it does not require any admission charge.

Conclusion

The RBI Museum thus offers a rich experience and knowledge about money, explaining its role in the economy through interactive ways. It equally emphasizes the heritage and history of Kolkata. The museum is a must-visit for every enthusiast of money or what you can say who is a die-hard fan of money heists.