THE MUSEUM OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY has a large collection of Paintings, Manuscripts, Sculptures, Bronzes, Coins and Inscriptions.

As early as 1796, the Society announced its intention of establishing a Museum, and it was actually set up at the beginning of 1814 under the superintendence of Dr.N. Wallich. That the Museum developed rapidly is evident from the first catalogue, published in 1849 and other descriptive catalogues of different sections.The Society proposed to the Government in 1839 for the establishment of a public museum at Calcutta. And the Indian Museum of Calcutta was established in 1866. The Society made over its valuable collections to the Indian Museum. The Society however still maintains a museum of its own possession of Asokan Rock Edict (250 B.C.), Copper Plates, Coins, Sculptures, Manuscripts and Archival records.