Nizam’s Jewellery exhibition likely to be held after 12 years in New Delhi

Hyderabad: Priceless and unique Jewellery of the Nizam of Hyderabad will be exhibited in New Delhi after a gap of 12 years.

It may be recalled that exhibitions of Nizam’s Jewellery collections were held in 2001 and in 2007, in Salar Jung Museum.

It is reported that the date of exhibition in New Delhi has not yet been finalized. The exhibition will be held at National Museum, New Delhi.

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Curator of National Museum, New Delhi, Mr. Sanjeeb Kumar told that Nizam’s collection of Jewellery has a unique status. He also said that Jewellery is part of life in India.

It may be mentioned that after the merger of Hyderabad State into Indian Union, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan had founded 54 trusts in 1951. He also established Nizam’s Jewellery Trust which got 103 unique Jewellery items. In 1952, Nizam’s Jewellery Trust acquired 144 Jewellery items. In 1972, negotiations between Govt. of India and the family members of Nizam started regarding the sale of these Jewellery items. In 1995, Govt. of India acquired a portion of the Jewellery for Rs. 217 crore. It is reported that the determination of value of Jewellery item is very difficult since these are unique in nature in the sub-continent. These are the silent witnesses of the history of the Deccan. These Jewellery items include Jacob Diamond (185 carats).

Noted historian, Deepti Sasidharan told that it is the national asset. It should be kept permanently for the Indian public. Meanwhile, former wife of the present Nizam, Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan, Princess Esra also desired that these Jewellery items should be kept permanently in Hyderabad. She wrote in a book titled, ‘Treasure of the Jewels of Nizam’ that the world knows only two diamonds which are decorating the crowns. The one is in Iran and the other in England.

It may be mentioned that on 27th July 1991, the value of these Jewellery items was estimated at Rs. 225, 37, 33, 951 but the Supreme Court of India reduced its value on technical grounds. An international auction house estimated its value as Rs. 1192 crore and 32 lakh.

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