One of the important tasks o f the National Museum has been to explore and present the heritage of Indian in the context of her enduring culture. The exhibition “Reflection of the Indian Consciousness” is the Part of our Endeavour to carry out that task. This exhibition consists of several objects that were presented in an exhibition “Treasure of Ancient India” organized by the archaeological Survey of India in four cities in China during 2006-07. While selecting the objects from the collection of site museums of the Archaeological survey of India and the National Museum it was felt to focus the attention on the great values and ideals the art objects reflect. Therefore, certain objects have been replaced by other ones befitting to the theme of the exhibition. In fact this is a joint Endeavour of the National Museum and the Archeological Survey of India.

Thus the present exhibition focuses on ideals of peace, harmony, tolerance and co-existence which are quintessentially Indian. The objects have been selected not merely for their individual quality but also to demonstrate the cultural beliefs of the Indian sub-continent. The selection of artifacts their presentation and the scheme of the catalogue suggest that the exhibition intends to serve as a mirror of Indian philosophy, religion, aesthetic, sensibility, emotion, and expression.

An exhibition of this scale and complexity depends greatly on the help of many people. Obviously it is not possible to thank all the persons in such a venture individually, but my thank goes particularly to my predecessor in the National Museum, Mr. Vijay S Madan, whose persistent efforts brought this exhibition to its present form. I am also thankful to Smt. Anshu Vaish,