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The Salar Jung Museum is a renowned art museum located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Situated at Dar-ul-Shifa on the southern bank of the Musi River, it is one of the most significant national museums in the country. The museum's origins trace back to the private art collection of the Salar Jung family, specifically Salar Jung III. After his death, the collection was bequeathed to the nation, making the museum an important cultural landmark.
Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, known as Salar Jung III (1889?1949), was a nobleman from the Salar Jung family of Hyderabad who served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad during the Nizam's rule. Over a span of thirty-five years, he meticulously collected a vast array of artefacts from around the world, spending a significant portion of his income on the acquisition of these items. His collection, which grew to become one of the most impressive private art collections of its time, was housed in his ancestral palace, Diwan Devdi. Following his death in 1949, Salar Jung III's immense collection was left behind at the palace, where it was initially exhibited as a private museum, known as the Salar Jung Museum. The museum was formally inaugurated by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on December 16, 1951. However, it is believed that only half of the original collection remains, with a portion being siphoned off by employees, as Salar Jung III had relied on them to manage and guard the collection. In the 1960s, the state decided to shift the museum to a more spacious and permanent location. After a design competition, the new building?s architectural plans were entrusted to Mohammed Fayazuddin, and the foundation stone was laid by Nehru in 1963. The museum finally moved to its present location at Dar-ul-Shifa, near the Musi River, in 1968. The museum is administered by a board of trustees, with the Governor of Telangana serving as the ex-officio chairperson. Despite the transition, some artefacts were lost or stolen during the move, and the museum faced further setbacks, including a fire in 2006, which fortunately did not damage any exhibits. Post-fire, the museum upgraded its fire safety measures. The collections at the Salar Jung Museum are diverse and span several categories, such as Indian Art, Middle Eastern Art, Far Eastern Art, European Art, and the Children's Section. One of the key highlights is the ?Founder's Gallery,? which celebrates the life and legacy of the Salar Jung family. Indian Art at the museum includes categories like Indian Bronze, Indian Textile, Sculpture, Miniature Paintings, Ivory Carvings, Arms and Armour, and Jade Carving. The Indian Miniature Painting collection traces its roots back to the 14th century and includes works from prominent schools such as Mughal, Rajasthani, Thanjavur, and Malwa. Paintings like The Birth of the Prince, which depicts a significant royal event, showcase the fusion of Persian and Indian styles. Mughal miniatures, such as Madonna with Child and Prince with a Hawk, reflect European influences. The museum also features Deccan School works, including pieces from Golconda and Bijapur, such as Elephants in a Fight. The museum is also home to important examples of Modern Indian Painting, including works by pioneers like Raja Ravi Varma, who is known for his oil paintings that depict Indian mythology and classical themes. The museum also has works from other modern Indian artists like M. F. Husain and Nandalal Bose. In terms of craftsmanship, the museum contains a remarkable collection of Ivory Carvings, such as a chair gifted to Tipu Sultan by Louis XVI of France. The ivory carved chair, with its intricate lattice design and lion-head armrests, is one of the most celebrated pieces. There are also ivory lamps from Mysore, showcasing the intricate artistry of that period. The museum's collection also includes jade-crafted daggers, weapons of historical significance, and sculptures from periods like the Gandhara and Chola. The Western Art collection includes works by renowned European artists such as Canaletto, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Francesco Hayez. There are also various antique furniture pieces from the era of King Louis XIV and Napoleon. Notably, Salar Jung I had acquired a "double sculpture" of Mephistopheles and Margaretta during his trip to France in 1876, and a marble statue called Veiled Rebecca during a visit to Rome. These pieces, along with others collected by the Salar Jung family, form part of the museum's European Art collection. In addition to its rich collections from India and the West, the Salar Jung Museum also houses a fascinating array of artifacts from the Far East, including Japanese artworks, Chinese porcelain, samurai swords, and sculptures from China, Japan, Tibet, and Burma. A particularly famous collection at the museum is the Quran collection, which features beautifully inscribed copies of the Quran from various parts of the world, many written in gold and silver. The museum also houses religious books and Arabic manuscripts. The museum's clock collection is another highlight, showcasing a wide range of timepieces, including ancient sundials, miniature clocks, and grandfather clocks from countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Notable among these is the musical clock that Salar Jung III purchased from Cook and Kelvey in England. Additionally, the Salar Jung Museum has a collection of approximately 600 coins, ranging from the time of the Vijayanagar dynasty to the modern period. Some of these coins date back to over 2300 years and include coins from the Kushan dynasty as well as several types made of silver, copper, and lead. Today, the Salar Jung Museum is an institution of national importance, recognized by the Indian Parliament, and continues to be a treasure trove of cultural heritage, drawing visitors from across the globe to explore its extraordinary collections.
Year of Built: 1951
Address: Darulshifa, Hyderabad, Telangana
Country: India
State: Telangana
District: Hyderabad
Pincode: 500002
Longitude: 78.480347
Latitude: 17.371426