Patna Museum might have lost many of its treasured artefacts to the new Bihar Museum but it would continue to attract people in a new avatar.

As per the government's plans, the new museum would mainly house artefacts related to ancient and medieval history while the old one would house treasures related to modern history (post-1764).

'Four galleries of Patna Museum have been vacated due to the shifting of artefacts and sculptures to the Bihar Museum. Among them are the stone gallery (which was spread across five rooms), inscription gallery (one room), and the bronze and terracotta gallery (also one room). We are now going to use the vacant space to display post-18th century artefacts in a much better manner. Among the important artefacts which we are going to display in these spaces include the rare 18th century prints of the paintings of the famous English landscape painters Thomas Daniell and William Daniell. Thomas Daniell spent seven years in India accompanied by his nephew William. They used to paint important monuments and sites on their canvasses. So by seeing the prints of their paintings, which are available in Patna Museum, one can better know about the country during the 18th century,' a senior official of Patna Museum said under cover of anonymity.

'While Victoria Memorial in Calcutta has the original paintings of the Daniells, Patna Museum has rare prints of over 100 paintings by them. Prints of the paintings of Mundeshwari Temple in Kaimur district, Manersharif, Taj Mahal, Qutb Minar are available with us. All these exhibits would be displayed in a better way. We also have been left with around 400 Patna Kalam paintings, another prized possession. Besides, we have art objects of Bettiah Raj that include sculptures and other artefacts that used to adorn their drawing room. None of the artefacts has been shifted from the zoology gallery of Patna Museum. Gifts received by the first President, Rajendra Prasad, would also be displayed in a better way,' he said.

Principal secretary, art, culture and youth affairs, Chaitanya Prasad said a committee of experts had been formed on development of Patna Museum. 'The committee would decide which development work has to be carried out at Patna Museum. As of now it has been decided that post-1764 exhibits would remain with Patna Museum,' he said.