Built in 1919, the house is known for the collection of objets d'art and antiques that is a personal achievement of Diwan Bahadur Radha Krishna Jalan (R.K. Jalan) (1882–1954), who was a businessman and an art collector.

[5] The building it is in the style of English and Dutch and is known locally as the Quila House.

[6] The collection of objects numbering to about 10,000, belonged mostly to the modern period include stone, metal, terra cotta, ivory, glass and porcelains.

[2][7] Part of the building continues to be a private residential area of the Jalan family.

The museum is open to visitors 9-11 am, Mondays to Saturdays, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sundays, though prior appointment, 48 hours before the visit is required.