The Gujari Mahal Museum in Gwalior is mainly archaeological and the collection comprises sculptures, lithic inscriptions and copper plates, inscribed seals, stone pillars and capitals, hero stones and sati stones, metal images, terracotta objects, coins, excavated objects from ancient sites such as Pawava (Padmavati), Besnagar ( Vidisha), Ujjain (Ujjayini) and Maheshwar, copies of Bagh frescoes and paintings. The objects displaced in the museum illustrate the art and culture of this part of the country from the 3rd century B.C. to the 17th century A.D. The palm capital from Pawaya, the lion capital from Udayagiri, Manibhadra Yaksha and other early carvings, the exquisite mother and child from Badoh and other Gupta Empireand medieval era sculptures, a fine series of terracotta heads from Pawaya, stone inscriptions including that of Kumaragupta from Tumain, copper-plates, a representative collection of coins and fine copies of frescoes from Bagh caves and a collection of Rajput and Mughal paintings are noteworthy amongst the collections in this museum.
The library of the Archaeological Department is available for the use of the museum also. Occasionally reference books are loaned to interested readers. The curator sometimes exhibits the material in the Gujari Mahal Museu to the parties of visitors. Here is a collection of lantern slides on archaeological objects which are shown whenever necessary. The museum can arrange for photographs of objects by getting in touch with the Aichaeological Department. Though the museum does not arrange special or periodical exhibitions, it is helped by cooperating and lending exhibits. The labels are bilingual in English and Hindi. Drawings and photo enlargements are used to explain the exliibits displayed as for instance the evolution of architecture, sculpture and dress. The Gujari Mahal Museum is under the charge of the Deputy Director of Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh.
Greater Gwalior consists of three cities, i.e., Lashkar, Gwalior and Morar and the Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum is centrally situated in Gwalior at a point equidistant from Lashkar and Morar. The museum building though suitable is not adequate. Exploration has been the chief source for the collection of sculptures here though besides pottery and terracotta some sculptures have been recovered from excavations. Paintings and metal images have been purchased. Coins have been mainly acquired from treasure trove finds though some have been purchased and received in exchange for coins supplied from the collection of duplicates. A collection of coins has also been received as a donation. Photographs and sketches are used for better elucidation of the objects displayed as in the case of the evolution of architecture, sculpture and dress. The Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum is an institutional member of the Museums Association of India.