The Bihar Museum in Patna ranked ninth in the 2026 list of the world’s 100 best museums. It was the highest-ranked Asian institution and the only Indian museum included in the list. The travel guide Worth a Journey published the rankings around October 2026.
Global Museum Rankings
The 2026 list was compiled by Jakob Schwichtenberg, founder of the travel publishing company behind Worth a Journey. Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de Antropología secured the first position globally. The Bihar Museum ranked one place ahead of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was tenth. The list placed the Bihar Museum first among Asian museums. No other Indian institution appeared among the 100 museums selected for the 2026 edition.
Establishment and Development
The Bihar Museum is a state museum located in Patna, Bihar. It opened in 2015 and was dedicated to the public in 2017. The institution was established during the tenure of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Patna is associated with the ancient city of Pataliputra, which served as a capital of the Magadha kingdom and the Mauryan Empire. Bihar’s historical heritage also includes sites associated with Buddhism and Jainism.
Collections and Historical Context
The museum presents Bihar’s history from the Stone Age to more recent periods. Its collections include archaeological artefacts, sculptures, coins, manuscripts and regional folk art. These objects represent material culture, artistic traditions and historical periods associated with Bihar. The museum’s collection spans prehistoric and historic material. Archaeological artefacts and coins provide evidence of past societies, while manuscripts and sculptures form part of the region’s historical and cultural collections.
Important Facts for Exams
- The Bihar Museum opened in Patna in 2015 and was dedicated to the public in 2017.
- The 2026 Worth a Journey list placed the Bihar Museum ninth globally and first in Asia.
- Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City ranked first in the 2026 list.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art ranked tenth in the same list.
In the 2026 ranking, the Bihar Museum was the only Indian institution among the 100 listed museums. Its collections include material spanning the Stone Age to recent periods.
