New museum gives a peek into British era prison

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Visitors of the minimuseum in the city get a glimpse of items that prison guards in British era used to employ in jails...

BANGALORE: If you are interested in seeing items that prison guards in British era used to employ in jails to supervise the freedom fighters, head to the minimuseum in the Prisons Department building in the city.
The museum will be open for public from Wednesday. It has items dating back to 1900. Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, Kuchanna Srinivasan, told Express that although several items were displayed in Freedom Park, they decided to display some articles in Prison Department building to let visitors have a glimpse of things that are not available elsewhere.The items on display include a whip that was used to lash the inmates. A leather and brass belt, which was a part of the uniform of jail staff of Bombay Presidency, too is kept there. It was found in Bijapur central jail.

A wooden baton, which the prison guards used to carry with them, is also on display. You will also find a kerosene lantern made of aluminium frame that was used for patrolling in jails in those days. It was collected from Bellary central prison.

In the museum, one may also see a brass gong that is wrapped in silver foil. It used to be hit to indicate time. Further, a seal that was used to put stamp on clothes, bedding and postal letters of the inmates too is available there.

The articles have been kept in the visitors' gallery on the first floor of the Prison Department's building.