The Nizam's jewellery which is being exhibited in New
Delhi's National Museum is one of the largest
and richest collections of jewels that was purchased
in 1995, by the Government of India at a cost of Rs
218 crore. Made up of 173 exquisite pieces, the collection
boasts of the world's seventh largest uncut diamond,
the 'Jacob diamond,' necklaces, belts, rings
and armlets and swords, one of which is believed to
be the fabled sword of Tipu Sultan. The collection also
includes the Sarpech, the ornament that used
to adorn the Nizam's turban, a ring given by the Mughal
emperor Aurangzeb and emeralds which rank among the
world's finest.
 With
a hybrid of Mughal, Deccani and European influences,
the market value of the collection is estimated to be
between Rs 1800 crore and Rs 2000 crore. The jewellery
gives an insight into the vast wealth of the Nizams,
once the rulers of the princely state of Hyderabad,
which is now part of India. The 'Jacob diamond' which
is the highlight of the collection is almost twice the
size of the famous 'Kohinoor diamond' of London. The
dazzling 184.75 carat Jacob Diamond was bought by the
sixth Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan, from a Jewish trader
called A M Jacob. The diamond is believed to have been
mined in South Africa and is considered the third best
in the world in terms of its brilliance and size. The
last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan apparently found
it by chance hidden in the toe of his late father's
slipper, and from then on the diamond was used as a
paperweight.
 After
a month's display at the National Museum, the collection
will be displayed for the public at Salar Jung Museum
in Hyderabad. Initially the state government was thinking
of holding the exhibition either at the Chowmohalla
Palace or at the Necklace Road. But both these ideas
were shelved for security reasons. Says Mohammed
Safiullah, an advisor of the Nizam Trust, "the
Chowmohalla is totally impractical both from a logistical
and security point of view and building a new museum
on the Necklace Road will take just too much time".
According to him, the Salar Jung Museum is the only
practical answer as it already has the infrastructure
required to house such an exhibition.
 The
state of Hyderabad under the Nizam's rule was considered
as one of the largest and wealthiest states in India.
From about 1900 to the mid 1960s the Nizam of Hyderabad
was reported by many as being the richest man in the
world. Despite this immense wealth, the Nizam did not
flaunt his wealth and he wore inexpensive clothes. On
the formation of the Indian Union the Nizam chose to
remain independent. Eventually his state was invaded
by Indian forces and the state of Hyderabad annexed
to the Indian union in 1948.
 Most
of the Nizam's jewellery was acquired in the 18th century
by Nizam-ul-Mulk, the founder of the Asaf Jahi
dynasty. The jewels were then handed down the generations.
Over the years, the jewels were regularly auctioned
by the Nizam Jewellery Trust formed by the last Nizam
Mir Osman Ali Khan in the 1950s to pay off his debt.It
was in the late 70s that the Government of India stepped
in after reports that much of this treasure was going
to foreign buyers. Finally in 1995 the jewels were acquired
by the government after a long legal battle and was
kept in the vaults of Reserve Bank of India in Mumbai.
The Sultan of Brunei, and Greek shipping tycoon Stavros
Niarchos have been amongst a long list of people
who have offered to pay fabulous fortunes for this valuable
collection.
The jewellery exhibition will begin from November 24
at Salar Jung Museum. The entry fee will be around Rs
50.
Address: Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad.
Phone: 457 6443. Fax: 457 2558. E-mail:
salarjung@hotmail.com
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