In a bold and quirky celebration of sanitation and social change, India’s first Museum of Toilets, officially known as the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, continues to educate and entertain visitors in New Delhi. Established in 1992 by renowned social reformer Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, the museum is a unique institution dedicated to the global history of sanitation and toilets.

Located in Mahavir Enclave, the museum is run by the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation and showcases the evolution of toilets from ancient times to the modern day. Through its unusual yet powerful exhibits, it highlights how access to sanitation is critical for health, dignity, and equality.

Ancient sanitation systems from the Harappan civilization

• A replica of King Louis XIV’s throne-like toilet
• Ornate Victorian chamber pots and commodes
• Gandhi’s vision for clean India and Sulabh’s eco-friendly models used across rural India
• Information on toilet technology from 2,500 BCE to the space age

While the topic might make some blush, the museum treats sanitation with the seriousness it deserves—spotlighting its role in combating disease, ensuring privacy, and upholding human dignity. It also aligns with the government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), to which Sulabh has been a pioneering contributor.

“Sanitation is civilization,” said Dr. Pathak. “This museum reminds us that a toilet can be more powerful than a temple when it comes to uplifting the poor.”