What will Paris firm change at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Ashram? 23 museums and a Parisian vision

Highlights:

For decades, Sabarmati Ashram has stood as a reminder of Mahatma Gandhi’s simple lifestyle and his role in India’s freedom struggle. Its modest surroundings, spinning wheel, and association with the Dandi March have made it a landmark of India’s history. Now, the historic site is preparing for a significant transformation, with plans for 23 museums that could change how visitors experience Gandhi’s life and legacy.

A Paris-based firm, Museum Studio, is designing the museums in collaboration with Ecofirst, a Tata group subsidiary. The project is part of a redevelopment initiative that seeks to expand the ashram into a major visitor destination while preserving its historical significance.

"The design of the museums is being done by Museum Studio of Paris, and they have a consortium partner, a subsidiary of Tata Engineering Services called Ecofirst. They are the curators," said an official closely associated with the project, as reported by PTI on Thursday (1).

From a quiet retreat to a 50-acre redevelopment

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Established by Gandhi in 1917, Sabarmati Ashram served as his home during a defining period of the independence movement. It was here that he lived simply, experimented with community life and prepared for the historic Dandi March.

The Gujarat government launched the redevelopment project in 2021, envisioning a transformed ashram spread across nearly 50 acres along the Sabarmati River. The Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram Memorial Trust oversees the project. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel heads its governing council, while retired IAS officer I.P. Gautam leads its executive council.

The redevelopment is being carried out with the vision and inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the official.

Four months of research to tell Gandhi’s story

Before the design work began, a Tata research team spent four months studying Gandhi’s life at the ashram between 1917 and 1930. The findings were presented to a content advisory committee at a meeting on April 21.

The committee brings together museum professionals, historians and experts in Gandhian literature. Its members include Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, philanthropist Rajshree Birla, National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman Kishor Makwana, Gujarat Vidyapith Vice Chancellor Dr. Harshad Patel, museum professionals Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Rajarama Yagnik, Indian Institute of Heritage Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Manvi Seth, and historian Rizwan Qadri.

After further discussions in July and August, the content plan was finalized and sent to Paris for design.

From South Africa to the banks of the Sabarmati

The museums will focus on Gandhi’s years in India, particularly the period when he brought ideas and experiments from South Africa to Sabarmati.

"We are trying to emphasise Mahatma Gandhi's stay from 1915 to 1930, those 15 years, because Mahatma ji extended his learnings from Tolstoy Farm in South Africa here. He repeated that experiment and turned lakhs of people into Gandhians," the official said.

The planned exhibitions are expected to explore this formative chapter of Gandhi’s life and the community he built around his principles.

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Will technology reshape the visitor experience?

The proposed museums could bring together a range of formats, from traditional displays to digital storytelling. Plans include audiovisual presentations, digital exhibits, murals, and sculptures.

But the designs are still subject to review. Experts from the National Institute of Design will examine the proposals to ensure they reflect the historical and cultural context of Gandhi’s life. Once the designs receive approval, Ecofirst will handle the curation, with the Indian Institute of Heritage supervising the process to ensure that the exhibitions remain consistent with the approved design.

The challenge lies in balancing innovation with the spirit of a place known for its simplicity. How the new museums will integrate with the existing ashram remains an important part of the project’s unfolding story.

Preserving values for a new generation

For all the planned changes, the project’s stated ambition goes beyond architecture and technology. Its central purpose is to introduce Gandhi’s ideas to younger visitors and make them relevant to contemporary audiences.

"It is a collective effort involving experts in literature, museums, design, and communication. Ultimately, we want to convey Gandhiji's principles, truth, non-violence, non-possession, and non-cooperation to the new generation," the official said.

As the designs take shape in Paris, Sabarmati Ashram stands at the threshold of a new chapter. The question is not only what the 23 museums will look like, but also how they will preserve the experience of a place whose historical significance has long rested on its simplicity.