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Stunning jewellery collection of Nizam of Hyderabad
Fabulous jewels of the Nizam of Hyderabad including the legendary Imperial (Jacob) diamond.
In 1972 the prize jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad were offered for sale to the Government of India for Rupees 218 crore. The deal was struck. However, it took almost 23 years to finally acquire the jewels, after prolonged court cases and colossal expenses.
First, the jewels were shifted to the vaults of the Reserve Bank of India from the Hongkong Bank where they were being held earlier. Later, the jewellery was exhibited for the first time at the National Museum in New Delhi for about two months during September - December, 2001.
The 173 piece collection was built up over seven generations of the Asaf Jahis or the Nizams as the rulers of Hyderabad were called. Although the Nizams ruled over the Deccan, they had adopted the lifestyle, court traditions and administrative practices of the Mughals.
The jewellery, therefore, is a synthesis of Mughal, deccani, as well as European influences. It reflects the ethos of a dynasty that originated in the Mughal court, ruled the Deccan and was a staunch ally of the British empire. It was during the seventh and the last Nizam’s -Mir Osman Ali Khan- time that care was taken to preserve the timeless treasure. It was difficult for the Nizams, who had a large family and a retinue of servants, to take care of their own.
It was then that Mir Osman Ali Khan, with a view to safeguarding this fabulous wealth, started liquidating a portion of his astronomical fortune and allocated it to a series of trusts. The most unique of these was the Nizam Jewellery Trust, being the only one to have been established by an Indian ruler. He also created a supplementary Jewellery Trust, incorporated in 1951, being the only one to have been established by an Indian ruler. He also created another supplementary Jewellery Trust after allocating gifts to his grandsons in 1952. The trustees kept this treasure of great historical value in the vaults of the Hongkong Bank.
The present collection comprises a total of 173 items. The actual number of the pieces is 325 (counting individual pieces and not as pairs) excluding about 22 unset emeralds and the legendary Jacob diamond.
The collection includes a number of sarpench (bejew-elled headgear), necklaces, waist-belts, buckles, brace-lets, anklets, armlets, toe-rings, finger -rings, pocket watches, watch chains, buttons and cuff-links, to name but a few. All the jewels are flamboyant, yet, there are certain pieces which stand out for their unique quality, size and colour, and most importantly, for their workmanship.
Most of the diamonds used in the jewellery came from the mines in Golconda which were owned by the Nizams. This is one reason why all the pieces invariably have diamonds that are either uncut or cut into magnificent pieces by the local artisans. The luster and brilliance of the Golconda diamonds is most apparent in the sarpenchs, especially those that are to be worn over the headgear. These are in gold, set with diamonds, emerald beads and cabochon rubies. There is a very special sarpench which was made for a young prince, Mahabub Ali, when he ascended the throne. It is called ‘Bachkana sarpench’ and has been chosen to be the logo of the exhibition. The brilliance of Golconda diamonds set in this piece outshines that in any other piece. A solitaire set in gold, with five smaller diamonds on each side, has on its top an exquisite bird crafted with small diamonds for its plumage and a ruby as its eye. Interestingly, the bird holds a tiny ‘taveez’ (lucky charm) in its beak.
Among the exhibited pieces, the imperial diamond, known as Jacob diamond, is a fabulous piece, Weighing 184.75 carats, this sparkling beauty is double the size of the Koh-i-Noor diamond and is said to be the seventh largest in the world. It was acquired by the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahabub Ali Pasha in 1891 from a Jewish trader, A.K. Jacob and hence the name.
** RARE interviews with 8th Nizam of Hyderabad -
http://cvxmelody.oxyhost.com/nizam.htm
Duration : 0:8:55
20 Responses to “Stunning jewellery collection of Nizam of Hyderabad”
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June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
You hindu Indian …
You hindu Indian terrorsits have killed enough people already. Now it is time for hyderabadi people to respond only. Even ghulam muslims are rising to your hindustan
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Of course, it is …
Of course, it is even said (maybe rumors?) that many of the Iranian jewels are brought from India (some 7 thrones as well two of them still exist). But I was talking about the quantity; Iranian Crown Jewellery Treasure is the richest and biggest in the world in the present days. for instance, there’s a dish plate of 10 cm height and 19 cm diameter studded with jewels among the published treasure it is also said that it’s only one piece of a collection of 4000 pieces of table set !!!!!!!!!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I understand that …
I understand that the Iranian treasure is a feast of Diamonds Rubies and Emeralds but if you look closely at the workmanship and the manner in which the gems are encrusted you would know the category of workmanship is similar to the one that was used for decorating objects during the mughal period….for a ref you can try reading the book Treasury of the world by
Manuel keene
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
hempadia, i am a …
hempadia, i am a jewellry lover and i used to think the same as you but when i saw the iranian crown treasure….well, check it out!
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
your mother was a …
your mother was a thief
if you’d say something like that in my face I’d swear I would kill you
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
It was Hindustan …
It was Hindustan who are thief. Did you forget how you took over our country and stole our land in 1948 and killed 200000 hyderabadi with all your rss and hindu organizations you dirty usurpers or will you be reminded when we do the same you did with us son of thieves??
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Of course when we …
Of course when we will let ourselves be invaded by Hindus and will stop taking pride in our culture and Nation then all of it will disappear. The way we are going one day we will be hindu slaves and will have chain around our neck. We lost everything just because Nizam could not fight.
We Muslim have to wake up. We are in worse postiotion since the Nizam. We were living like Kings. We had everything the Nizam investedc generously in all projects and made the city beautiful. We lost all of it.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Outstanding, WOW, …
Outstanding, WOW, what a life style of Nizam of hyderabad, Great Job
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
It might be that …
It might be that other Islamic countries like Turkey or Iran also have treasures in gold but none can compare with the Mughal or Hyderabad traditions of jewelry making. The Mughals as well the Hyderabadi jewellers reached a high level of craftsmanship in meenakari and kundan kari. Unfortunately all this is either already lost or on the verge of extinction.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
What’s make you …
What’s make you thinks that he’s a thief? Did you lived during his era or a pure jealousy out of stupid mind.Anyway if you think so, atleast he leaves something that cherishable for future generations and.please don’t be so judgmental on others person wealths.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
nizam was a thief
nizam was a thief
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
nziam was rich …
nziam was rich person in the world
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
can sombody tell me …
can sombody tell me name of the music… or a link..
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Classics momentos, …
Classics momentos, a collections of beautiful precious gems from a Muslim Hyderabad Leader for the viewing of Indians younger generations. Thanks for the video, and I believed the gems of Crowns Jewellery of English Crowns are from India that had been confiscated during the British Colonisation,especially the KOH I Noor Diamonds.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
really splendid …
really splendid collection, tks for the upload!
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
trialliant…
trialliant…
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
What is that shape …
What is that shape called? the picture of the diamond on top. The triangular type of shape.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Ainee dear
Thanks …
Ainee dear
Thanks sooo much for introducing me to your culture - can’t wait for our trip to India
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Whats the status of …
Whats the status of the collection now? I heard there was a movement to have it declared a national treasure so it wouldn’t be sold off.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Hindu is my religen …
Hindu is my religen, the best
Awesome video