Asiatic Society is the first modern museum in Asia founded by Sir William Jones in 1784 under the patronage of Governor Warren Hastings. It is a famous center of Indology, Literature and Scientific Research and is situated in Park Street. The society started a public museum in 1814. The Library of this institution contains approximately 20,000 volumes inclusive of 8,000 rare Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian & Hindi manuscripts. The archaeological relics, geological and ethnological specimens which the museum of this society possessed forms the nucleus of the Indian Museum. The society has a few pieces of sculpture which  includes an image of Brahma (12th century). The Barhut Asokan Rock Edict (BC 250) in Pali written in the Brahmi script is one of the most important exhibits. This university now fosters cultural activities and conducts painting exhibitions by the artists of the Bengal School.

Contact :
Asiatic Society, 1, Park Street , Kolkata - 700016
Phone : 033-22172355, 22497250