Salar Jung Museum

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1

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

• 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.

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 Salar Jung family is responsible for its collection of rare art objects from all over the world. 
• 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. Salar Jung III relinquished the post of dewan or Prime Minister in November 1914 and devoted his life in enriching his treasures of art and literature. 
• The collection in the form of a museum was declared open on 16th December 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”.
• The Museum was transferred to its present building, inaugurated by Dr. Zakir Hussain, President of India in the year 1968.

A Brief History of the Salar Jung Family.

• Nawab Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I, was awarded the title of Salar Jung Bahadur at the age of 13, and later he was appointed as Prime Minister at the age of 24 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. On his visit to England in 1876, he ordered ceramic objects bearing his portraits. 
• 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.