Nizam's museum with a difference

Showcases gifts presented to the ruler by his people

Nizam wanted future generations to know about his times.

Museums are dime a dozen, but this one definitely takes the cake. It is unique as it displays articles presented to a king by his subjects. This lesser-known Nizam’s museum, inside the historic Purani Haveli in the old city of Hyderabad, showcases Nizam’s achievements and how his subjects reciprocated his benevolence.

Nizam’s museum has a fascinating collection of articles presented to the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The museum, which is not a private collection like the famous Salar Jung Museum, was created as per the wishes of the Nizam as he wanted future generations to know about his times and achievements of the people of the State of Hyderabad. It also tells a lot about the man himself.

Most tourists to Hyderabad visit the Salar Jung Museum. But they miss Nizam’s museum as the Andhra Pradesh State Tourism Development Corpo­ration had not included until recently in its conducted tours.

Considered by many to be the richest man in the world during his time, Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, Asaf Jah VII, was the last Nizam of the Princely State of Hyderabad until it was annexed by India in 1948. Mir Osman Ali Khan ascended the throne on August 11, 1911, at the age of 25. His first “firman” (royal decree) stated: “In every way I will do my best to do good to my people and my State,” says Kishan Rao, former curator of Nizam’s museum quoting the Seventh Nizam.

His first act as sovereign was to abolish the death penalty which remained suspended from the penal code throughout his reign. He had a powerful sense of duty and strong desire to serve his people to impr­ove their lot and to create circumstances where each of them could be more in control of his own destiny.

In well known cases, he upheld official findings against mosques in land disputes involving a temple and a church. His motto that “Hindus and Muslims are my two eyes” is remembered even today. Mir Osman Ali Khan had a natural flair for both administration and finance.

The long years of hard work that the Nizam undertook resulted in far-reaching benefits for his people and the state. Mir Osman Ali Khan’s last journey, 11 years after he had retired from public life and on the day the news of his death spread, the people spontaneously closed down the entire city of Hyderabad in honour of a ruler dearly loved by his people.  According to historians, over 10 lakh people paid their last respects.

“The streets and pavements of the city were littered with the pieces of broken glass bangles as an incalculable number of women broke their bangles in mourning, as is the Telangana custom on the death of a close relative,” according to available records.

During his reign, he acquired many artefacts, mainly souvenirs, gifts, and mementos from the different dignitaries around the world, specifically during the silver jubilee celebration of his reign in 1936. These artefacts are now kept in the Nizam’s Museum in Purani Haveli. The origin of the Purani Haveli goes back to Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the founder of the city of Hyderabad.

He belonged to the Qutub Shahi dynasty that ruled the Deccan before the Asaf Jahs. When planning the new city of Hyderabad, Mohammed Quli allotted the site where Purani Haveli now stands for the mansion of his Peshwa (Prime Minister) Mir Momin.

The wardrobe of Mahbub Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, is a truly phenomenal exhibit in its own right. The wardrobe is 176 feet long and is made of the finest Burma teak and is built on two levels. The Nizam never repeated his clothes and once worn, his clothes were given away. Therefore, there is no authentic record of his wardrobe.

Historical memoirs in the newly-renovated muse­um include a golden wooden throne used by the Nizam during the last silver jubilee celebration, glass inlay painting of Nizam Osman Ali Khan and a wooden writing box studded with diamonds, mother-of-pearls as well as gold-studded daggers, caskets, and silver perfume containers. The latter were presented by the Raja of Palvancha. Automobile enthusiasts will also have a field day admiring the vintage cars on display.

Models made of silver of all the landmark buildings in Hyderabad, such as Moazzam Jahi market, Arts College of Osmania University, Nizamsagar dam and State Assembly old building and Secunderabad station and citations in Urdu about the Nizam. The museum also features a 150-year-old manually operated lift and 200-year-old proclamation drums.

The most intriguing of the exhibits is a old wooden cabinet. Nobody knows  for what purpose it was used. “Do you recognise what  this is? If you have any knowledge or a sound idea please let us know. We would be delighted to hear from you,” screams a signboard at the museum.

Even after a decade after the inaugural, there has been no breakthrough. Scores of visitors come, enjoy the intricately-carved cabinet, let out a sigh of appre­ciation and go without throwing any light on it. What’s more puzzling is that the museum storehouse has at least a dozen such cabinets. As years roll by the mystery only deepens. Some say elephants hauled these cabinets, balancing them on their huge frames to the store house at the Old Feelkhana.

The museum opened to the general public on February 19, 2000. Now, it is open six days a week (except on Fridays) from 10 am to 5 pm, with entra­nce fee of Rs 65 for adults and Rs 15 for children.