29 October,2009 12:41 PM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Century-old Bharat Itihas Sanshodhan Mandal to put rare 300-year-old coins, artefacts, paintings on display
For the first time, 100-year-old Bharat Itihas Sanshodhan Mandal (BISM) will exhibit its rare collection of historic paintings, artefacts and original coins between November 6 and November 9.
"We are spending Rs 30,000 on security," said Shrikrishna Bhave, Secretary, BISM. Rajendra Sonawane, Joint CP, Pune, said, "The special branch will post our officials at the exhibition."
Rare coins
Mandar Lawate, secretary, BISM centenary celebration committee, said, "Gold coins from the Shivaji era will also be on display," he said. "We are spending a sizable amount on preserving and maintaining them," said Bhave.
Established by noted historian V K Rajwade in 1910, BISM has approximatelyu00a0u00a0 1,500 paintings. According to Gajanan Mehendale, a history scholar, the BISM have asked the state government for funds for the exhibition.
"We have original painting of Akbar, Bajirao first and Madhavrao Peshwa, which are being picked up by the state Education Department for school textbooks," he said. "We also have a rare portrait of Birbal, Court of Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa. Some of the paintings are more than 300 years old," he added.
