Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad

In News: A 14th century ceremonial sword that was sold in Hyderabad to a British General in the early 20th century is set to return to India. The sword is among the seven objects being repatriated by Glasgow Life, which manages Glasgow’s museums.

• The tulwar was donated by to Glasgow Life museums’ collections in 1978.

About:

• The sword, shaped like a snake, has serrated edges and a damascene pattern, with gold etchings of an elephant and tigers.
• The sword was exhibited by Nizam of Hyderabad (1896-1911) at the 1903 Delhi Durbar (a ceremonial reception held to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India)
• The tulwar (sword) was purchased in 1905 by a British General from Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad.
• Kishen Pershad was known for his munificence where he was known to throw out coins to people chasing his motorcar.

History of Salar Jung Museum:

• The Salar Jung Museum was established in the year 1951 and is located on the southern bank of the river Musi in Hyderabad, Telangana State of India.
• The family is one of the most illustrious families in Deccan history, five of them having been prime-ministers in the erstwhile Nizam rule of Hyderabad-Deccan.
• Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, popularly known as Salar Jung III was appointed prime minister by Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Nizam VII in 1912.
• The collection in the form of a museum was declared open in 1951 in Dewan Deodi, home of late Salar Jung’s and was opened to the public by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
• Later the Government of India with the consent of the family members took over the Museum formally through a compromise deed and the museum was administered by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs, Government of India.
• Finally, in 1961, through an “Act of Parliament” the Salar Jung museum along with its library was declared an “Institution of National Importance”.

A Brief History of the Salar Jung Family:

• Nawab Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I, was awarded the title of Salar Jung Bahadur and later he was appointed as Prime Minister by Nizam IV, Nawab Mir Farkhunda Ali Khan Nasir-ud-Daulah.
• Salar Jung I was inspired by commemorative mementos made for coronations and special events of European royal families.
• He is also said to have bought the” Veiled Rebecca” to India along with many other master pieces.
• Mir Laiq Ali Khan was appointed first as secretary to the Council of Regency and later as a member of the Council of State. He was appointed as Prime Minister in 1884 by the Nizam VI of Hyderabad Nawab Mir Mehboob Ali Khan was conferred the title “Imad-us-Sultanat”.
• Salar Jung III emulated the traditions of European royal families in commissioning famous manufacturing houses in Europe to specially design gold-crested cutlery and crockery.

Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam appointed Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III, as his prime minister in 1912. On health grounds, Salar Jung III relinquished the post of prime minister in November 1914. Thereafter, he devoted his time to enrich his art collection.

Source: The Hindu