The State Museum in Shyamla Hills covers the archaeology, natural history, and folk culture of Madhya Pradesh, one of India's most historically rich states. The archaeological galleries hold sculpture from the major temple sites of the region — Khajuraho, Sanchi, Vidisha, and others — as well as coins, inscriptions, and everyday objects from prehistoric to medieval periods.
The tribal art gallery documents the material culture of the many Adivasi communities of Madhya Pradesh, complementing the more contemporary collection at Bharat Bhavan nearby. The museum is not as well maintained as it might be, but the collections are genuinely excellent and the sculpture section in particular is worth spending time in. The building sits in pleasant grounds above the Upper Lake.