Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

What Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya does

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), formerly the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is a not-for-profit autonomous museum established by Act III of 1909 of the Bombay Presidency and formally opened to the public on 10 January 1922. The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees, operates unaided by the government, and is headquartered at 159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, inside a Grade I Heritage Building (Indo-Saracenic architecture by George Wittet) that forms part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. Its collection spans approximately 70,000 historic and artistic objects from the stone age to contemporary times, displayed across 17 permanent galleries and supported by a Research Library of 30,000+ books and 200 rare manuscripts.

CSMVS monetises through a layered, transactional revenue model: tiered admission tickets (Rs 30 to Rs 700), audio guides, camera passes, venue hire (Charbagh lawn, Side Lawn, Open Air Amphitheatre) for cultural programmes and corporate events, a museum shop, library photocopying, and an 'Adopt a Treasure' / 'Adopt a Gallery' philanthropy scheme eligible for Section 80(G) tax benefits. Substantial operating funding comes from corporate and foundation donors (Citi, Bank of America, TCS Foundation, J. Paul Getty Trust, Hemendra Kothari Foundation, H T Parekh Foundation) and government partners (Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India, National Museum New Delhi). Distribution combines on-site visits (1 million+ annually), the Citi-CSMVS Museum on Wheels programme operating three air-conditioned buses across eight Indian states, the Mumbai-first Children's Museum (10,000 sq ft), the University of Mumbai-affiliated PG Diploma in Museology & Conservation, digital exhibitions, and international partnerships with the British Museum, Getty Foundation, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum Rietberg, Al-Sabah Collection, and Benaki Museum. The customer base spans families, schools, NGOs, researchers, general public, corporate event clients, and donor/sponsor segments.

The institution's technology stack is conventional for a museum (online ticketing, digital exhibitions, audio guides, interactive learning portal, library digitisation). It does not develop proprietary technology or AI capabilities, and its strategic moat is built on irreplicable physical assets (collection, heritage building, UNESCO status), regulatory protection, distribution infrastructure, and a network of global curatorial and donor partnerships. The museum employs 101–250 staff under Director General Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who has led since 2007 and is recognised with two UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards (2010, 2022), an honorary Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh, and 2022 election as International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Name

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Legal name

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Website

https://csmvs.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) is a not-for-profit Mumbai museum established in 1922, housing 70,000+ artifacts across 17 galleries in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serving 1 million+ annual visitors through on-site visits, three Museum on Wheels buses, a Children's Museum, and venue hire, supported by corporate philanthropy and global museum partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Museum and Cultural Heritage Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

History Museums (THAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE), Specialty Physical Artifact Storage (Museum Collections, Historical Documents, Rare Materials) (TLALALAJ)

Keywords

• Heritage museum exhibitions
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Museum educational programs
• Art conservation services
• Outreach mobile museum

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission tickets: Revenue generated from ticket sales for museum entry and audio guide services. Ticket prices vary by visitor category including Indian adults (Rs 200), foreign adults (Rs 700), students, children, and senior citizens with discounted rates for various categories.
2. Venue hire: The museum generates revenue by renting out its outdoor and indoor venues including Charbagh (29,920 sq ft), Side Lawn (3,160 sq ft), and Open Air Amphitheatre for events such as cultural programmes, formal functions, official dinners, festivals, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and embassy events.
3. Donations and patronage: As an autonomous institution unaided by government, CSMVS relies significantly on public-private partnerships and donations. Major donors include Citibank, Bank of America, TCS Foundation, J. Paul Getty Trust, and various individual patrons and foundations. Tax benefits under Section 80(G) are available for contributions.
4. Adoption scheme: The museum offers adoption of treasures, masterpieces, and antiquities from its 70,000+ collection. Individuals or collectives can also adopt galleries for 3-year periods, with benefits including recognition placement beside adopted objects and on the patron panel.
5. Camera passes and photography fees: Revenue from camera passes: handheld camera without tripod (Rs 500) and video camera (Rs 5,000).
6. Library services: Photocopying facilities for academic purposes: Rs 2 per text-forward page and Rs 3 per illustrated page for general public; Rs 1 and Rs 1.50 respectively for staff and Museology students.
7. Museum shop: Revenue from sale of museum-related merchandise and products through the museum shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CSMVS is a non-profit public museum operating a 70,000+ artifact collection across 17 permanent galleries, supplemented by temporary exhibitions, the Mumbai-first Children's Museum, the Museum on Wheels mobile outreach program, a Research Library, and a PG Diploma in Museology & Conservation. The museum delivers educational programs for schools and families, art conservation services, and venue hire for corporate and cultural events. Revenue is generated through admission tickets, donations, venue hire, museum shop sales, and adoption schemes.

Product overview

CSMVS is a museum offering a unified portfolio of visitor-facing experiences, educational programmes, and academic offerings rather than a modular software product. Core offerings include physical museum visits with 70,000+ artefacts across 17 permanent galleries (Indian Sculptures, Buddhist Art, Arms and Armour, Natural History, etc.), the Children's Museum (Mumbai's first dedicated children's museum), and the Museum on Wheels mobile outreach programme operating three air-conditioned buses. Educational services include a Research Library (30,000+ books), PG Diploma in Museology & Conservation (University of Mumbai affiliated), Learning Resources and Activity Packs, and Digital Exhibitions. Additional offerings include Venue Hire services, a Museum Shop, scholarship programmes (Dr. Devangana Desai Endowment, Tagore National Fellowship), and an Adopt a Treasure scheme. The museum also hosts rotating exhibitions including Networks of the Past, The Stone Age: Journey Through Time, Roots of a City, and Metamorphosis II.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Children's Museum
• Museum on Wheels
• Research Library
• PG Diploma in Museology & Conservation
• Venue Hire
• Museum Shop
• Permanent Galleries
• Digital Exhibitions
• Adopt a Treasure Scheme
• Dr. Devangana Desai Endowment Programme
• Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research
• Learning Resources and Activity Packs
• Networks of the Past Exhibition
• The Stone Age: Journey Through Time Exhibition

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million visitors annually
• +4 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Museum Rietberg, ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2025Collaboration partner in the 'Networks of the Past' educational gallery showcasing India's place in the ancient world from Harappan Civilisation to Gupta Empire, featuring artifacts from multiple cultures including India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, Persia, Greece, and Rome.
• British MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2024Major international partnership for 'The Stone Age: Journey Through Time' exhibition, part of global partnerships initiated by CSMVS with Getty's Sharing Collection Program. The British Museum collaborated on prehistoric tool exhibitions showcasing artifacts from Olduvai gorge, Africa, and various global sites. CSMVS staff member Vaidehi Savnal was invited by the British Museum to co-curate 'Mumbai + London: New Perspectives on the Ancient World' exhibition that opened in London in April 2025.
• Getty Foundation / Getty's Sharing Collections ProgramflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGetty's Sharing Collections Program initiated unique global partnerships that formed the foundation for multiple major exhibitions including 'India and the World: A History in Nine Stories' (2017-18), 'Ancient Sculptures: India Egypt Assyria Greece Rome' (2023-24), and the ongoing 'Networks of the Past' gallery (2025-2028).
• Al-Sabah Collection, KuwaitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Networks of the Past' gallery displaying over 300 important archaeological objects for three years, providing India's young population first prolonged encounter with original works of classical art from multiple ancient cultures.
• Benaki Museum, AthenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the 'Networks of the Past' exhibition exploring India's global connections in the ancient world, along with Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens and Ministry of Culture, Greece.
• Staatliche Museen zu BerlinflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Ancient Sculptures: India Egypt Assyria Greece Rome' (2023-24) exhibition, which was the culmination of global partnerships initiated by CSMVS with Getty's Sharing Collections Program, in partnership with British Museum and many leading Indian museums.
• J. Paul Getty MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the global partnership network initiated by CSMVS with Getty's Sharing Collections Program for prehistoric tool and ancient world exhibitions.
• Teach for IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in the Citi-CSMVS Museum on Wheels program, bringing museum exhibitions to underserved schools and communities across India.
• NCPA (National Centre for the Performing Arts)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partner collaborating with the Museum on Wheels program for exhibition events and educational activities.
• IIT MumbaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical institute partner in the Museum on Wheels institutional collaborations, supporting educational outreach activities.
• Azim Premji UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in the Museum on Wheels program, contributing to the program's academic and outreach objectives.
• Rotary ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Citi-CSMVS Museum on Wheels platform, supporting outreach activities and community engagement.
• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner facilitating loan of antiquities from rich collections for the Networks of the Past gallery showcasing India's place in the ancient world.
• National Museum, New DelhicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner government museum providing artifacts for the Networks of the Past educational gallery featuring over 300 archaeological objects from multiple cultures.
• Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM), Government of MaharashtracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner providing antiquities for the Networks of the Past exhibition exploring India's global connections from Harappan Civilisation to Gupta Empire.
• University of MumbaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation for the Postgraduate Diploma in Museology and Conservation program. The museum has permanent affiliation to University of Mumbai for conducting this course since 2009.
• British LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner with whom CSMVS curated exhibitions including collaborative exhibitions like 'Bristol: The Bigger Picture'.
• RijksmuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational museum partner for exhibitions, contributing to CSMVS's global exhibition program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Museum, New Delhi: India's flagship national museum under the Ministry of Culture, holding large-scale archaeological, art, and decorative collections. Directly comparable to CSMVS as a major Indian heritage museum competing for the same donor, partnership, and visitor pools.
• Indian Museum, Kolkata: India's oldest and largest museum, founded 1814, with comparable scope across antiquities, art, natural history, and anthropology. Operates a similar non-government-aided model and competes for international exhibition loans.
• Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad: A major Indian heritage museum with one of the world's largest one-man collections, comparable to CSMVS in scale, visitor traffic, and reliance on a mix of government support and donations.
• National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi: Government-run Indian museum focused on modern and contemporary art; shares parent ministry ties with CSMVS's partner institutions and competes for similar high-profile exhibition collaborations.

Broad incumbents

• British Museum: Global heritage museum and CSMVS's flagship international partner for the Stone Age and Networks of the Past exhibitions. Comparable in collection breadth, education programmes, and museum-science leadership.
• Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A): Global decorative arts and design museum that houses the Nehru Trust Indian Collection connected to CSMVS fellowships. Comparable as a multidisciplinary heritage institution with strong academic and conservation programmes.
• Getty Center / J. Paul Getty Museum: Major global arts institution that anchors CSMVS's Sharing Collections Program. Comparable in conservation leadership, international collaboration model, and grantmaking capacity to support peer museums.
• Staatliche Museen zu Berlin: Network of German state museums partnering with CSMVS on Ancient Sculptures and Networks of the Past. Comparable as a multi-site national museum system with global exhibition exchange programmes.

Regional players

• Nehru Science Centre (NCSM): Mumbai's premier science museum under the National Council of Science Museums, sharing the same Ministry of Culture parent and targeting similar school audiences, though with a science rather than heritage focus.
• Asiatic Society of Mumbai: Heritage library, museum, and cultural institution located in the same Fort area as CSMVS, sharing Mumbai's cultural-tourism catchment and competing for local visitors, researchers, and corporate venue-hire clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSMVSmumbai
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSMVS
• Instagraminstagram.com/csmvsmumbai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csmvs

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya