The National Museum on Janpath is the largest museum in India and one of the major cultural institutions in Asia. The collection spans 5,000 years of Indian history — from Indus Valley Civilization artifacts through Maurya-era sculpture, Gupta bronzes, Mughal miniature paintings, and into the modern period. It is serious and extensive, the kind of museum that deserves a half-day minimum.
The highlights are the Indus Valley gallery on the ground floor (where the Dancing Girl bronze stands), the sculpture halls with their Gandhara Buddhist pieces, and the Mughal and Rajput painting collection. The textile and decorative arts galleries are also excellent. Some rooms are poorly lit and labels are uneven in quality, but the collection itself is exceptional. Entry requires payment and photography permits. Take the Metro to Udyog Bhawan or Patel Chowk.