Welcome to Salarjung Museum

The Nizams’ Jewellery is a collection of one hundred and seventy three exquisite pieces from the treasury of the erstwhile Nizams of Hyderabad - seven generations of the Asaf Jahi dynasty who ruled the Deccan. The wealthiest princely state in India, the State of Hyderabad joined the Union of India in September, 1948. After long drawn negotiations between the Trustees and the Government of India, the Government was finally able to acquire this Collection in 1995 for a sum of Rs 2,178,189,128.

This exhibition presents new insights into the history of the Nizams' Jewellery. The Introductory Gallery displays rare photographs of the wives and children of Nizam VI and Nizam VII, for whom these beautiful pieces of jewellery were crafted. The garments on display are drawn from the museum's collection and together with the replicated jewellery, present a glimpse into the costume and jewellery traditions of Hyderabad in the late 19th - early 20th century.

Nizams Jewellery

The Collection was for the first time presented to the people of India in 2001 at New Delhi. In the same year it was brought to this city. This stunning jewellery exhibition attracted over 2.35 lakh visitors to the Salar Jung Museum from 24 November, 2001 till 30 June 2002. The grand success of the last exhibition and with the encouragement of The Ministry of Culture, this priceless heritage of the nation has second exhibition presented to the people of Hyderabad by the Salar Jung Museum from 1st January 2006 to 16th March 2007.

The exhibition was presented with new insights into the history of the Nizams’ Jewellery. The interiors have been divided into three spaces- the lobby area, the Introductory Gallery with rare photographs from the Chowmahalla Palace Collection and the main vault where the jewels have been displayed under high security. The jewellery is displayed in twenty-nine showcases.

The main gallery displays jewellery spread over twenty-nine showcases including the framed 184.50 carat Imperial Diamond, the twenty two priceless uncut Columbian emeralds believed to have been part of the Roman treasury, magnificent Basra pearls and the rare alexandrite ring.

Among the many jewellery pieces dating from the early eighteenth century to the twenty century on display in the Nizams jewellery exhibition, a few of the highlights are:’•

The famed 184.50 carat Imperial (Jacob) diamond.

The twenty two priceless uncut Colombian emeralds

The rare carat alexandrite ring.

A Kanthi (necklace) with approximately 12 flat diamonds totaling an astonishing 250 carats from the Golconda mines

Taveez Dand Zamarrud Wa Kanval Almas, step cut emerald bazubands or armbands weighing 100 and 150 carats once thought to have belonged to Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore.