Indian Heritage Centre

Telling the story of a community. The Indian Heritage Centre is a museum in the Little India district of Singapore devoted to the history and culture of the Indian and South Asian communities of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Opened in 2015 on Campbell Lane, it was the first purpose-built museum of its kind in the region, created to preserve and present the diaspora's contribution to the nation.

A modern landmark in a historic quarter. The building itself is a striking contemporary structure whose glazed, colourful facade is inspired by the traditional Indian stepwell, or baoli, lighting up after dark to stand out among the shophouses of Little India. Inside, five permanent galleries lead visitors chronologically from early contacts between South Asia and the region through the colonial migrations to the making of a modern multicultural community.

Collections and character. Displays combine artefacts, photographs, textiles, jewellery, oral histories and interactive media, covering trade, indentured labour, religion, family life, the arts and the community's role in Singapore's development. Highlights include finely worked heritage objects donated by local families, giving the collection a personal, grassroots dimension alongside the broader historical narrative. A rooftop terrace and a small shop round out the visit, and the galleries include hands-on displays aimed at families and school groups.

Visiting. The centre is a short walk from Little India and Rochor MRT stations, in the heart of one of the city's most vibrant ethnic districts. A modest admission fee applies, with concessions, and the museum is fully accessible by lift. Allow an hour or so inside, then continue into the surrounding streets, whose garland stalls, temples, textile shops and eateries bring the museum's themes to life. Evenings, when the illuminated facade glows, are a fine time to arrive.