Component-I (A) – Personal details:

Sri Venkateswara.University, Tirupati

Prof. P. Bhaskar Reddy Sri Venkateswara.University, Tirupati.

Shri Supreo Chanda Dept of Museology, University of Calcutta.

Prof. P. Bhaskar Reddy Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.

Prof. V. Sakunthalamma Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.

Component-I (B) – Description of module:

Subject Name Indian Culture

Paper Name Museology

Module Name/Title Salar Jung Museum,

Module Id I C/ MUS/ 32 Pre-requisites Knowledge in National Museums of

Objectives To study the history, collection and importance of the Salar Jung Museum. Keywords Museums/Salar Jung/Nizam/National Museum

E-text (Quadrant-I):

1. Introduction

The Salar Jung Museum is situated on the right bank of the in the old city of Hyderabad. The Salar Jung Museum is a repository of the artistic achievements of diverse European, Asian and Far Eastern countries of the world. The major portion of this collection was acquired by Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan popularly known as Salar Jung III. The zeal for acquiring art objects continued as a family tradition for three generations of Salar Jungs. In 1914, Salar Jung III, after having relinquished the post of Prime Minister to H.E.H., the Nizam VII, devoted rest of his life in collecting and enriching the treasures of art and literature. The precious and rare art objects collected by him for a period of over forty years, find place in the portals of the Salar Jung Museum, as rare to very rare pieces of art.

2. History of the Museum Originally the Salar Jung Museum was housed in the Diwan Deodhi, on Pattharghatti area of old city of Hyderabad. It was declared open to public by Pandit in December 1951. The major portion of the collection was acquired by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan popularly known as Salar Jung III, but few items were inherited by him from his father, Nawab Mir Laiq Ali Khan, Salar Jung II and his grandfather Nawab, MirTurab Ali Khan, Sir Salar Jung I. Five members of the family of Salar Jung have served as Prime Ministers to the Nizams of Hyderabad. Mir Turab Ali Khan was awarded the title of ‘Salar Jung Bahadur’ at the age of 13 years and the Nizam, Nasir-Ud-Daulah appointed him as his prime Minister at the age of 24 years. He was a great administrator known for his reforms and was also a connoisseur of art. Mir Turab Ali Khan died in the year 1882 and his elder son, Mir Laiq Ali Khan has been appointed as the Prime Minister by Mir Mehboob Ali Khan, the in 1884. However, he lost the faith of the Nizams and was removed from the post in 1887. He died in Poona when he was just 26 years old. His son Yousuf Ali Khan was bestowed the family title of Salar Jung by the Nizam and restored his Mansab and other titles. He was also appointed as Prime Minister to Nizam. But then history repeated itself when Salar Jung III relinquished the post of Prime Minister due to some difference of opinion with the Nizam in 1914.

Thereafter, he devoted his entire life in enriching his treasures of art and literature. He was not only a great collector of antiquities, art objects and rare manuscripts, but also purchased several objects during his tour of Europe and the Middle Eastern countries. It is this favour of love of over 40 years that finds a place in the portals of the Salar Jung Museum. Wedded to his art collections, Salar Jung III died as a bachelor at the age of 60 years in 1949. To perpetuate his name, the Museum has been named after him in 1951. In1961, through an act of Parliament, the Museum along with the library was declared as an Institution of National importance and was transferred to the . The Museum was shifted to the present building specially built for housing the Museum and Library in the year 1968. 3. Museum Collections and Exhibitions The Museum has a magnificent global collection of art objects and antiquities. The two storied museum building facing the river Musi has 38 galleries. The ground floor has 20 galleries, which run clockwise from the Founders’ Privacy. The first floor has 18 galleries running anti-clockwise closing with Japanese gallery. The collection of the museum can be divided into , Middle Eastern art, Far Eastern art and Children’s section. Apart from this, a gallery is devoted to the illustrious Salar Jung family, which was mainly responsible for acquiring the collection through purchases, mementos and gifts.

Out of the several rare objects, one of the important and interesting object collected by Salar Jung I was "Veiled Rebecca" an enchanting marble statue which was acquired by him from Rome in 1876 during his visit to Italy. The western collection is from England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Italy, Germany. A set of Ivory chairs said to have been presented by Louis XVI of France to Tippu Sultan of Mysore deserve special mention. A book-stand “Rehal” having the name of ‘Shamsuddin Altamish’, an archer’s ring inscribed with the legend Sahib-e--e-Sani, title of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan are masterpieces. A dagger and a fruit knife made in jade decorated with precious stones are said to belong to Jehangir and Noorjehan respectively. A good number of Indian Miniature Paintings in early style of Western India of 14th and 15th Centuries representing Krishna-leela themes are also form part of the Museum’s Collection. There are good numbers of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts dated to 19th century and Shah-nama by Furadausi are also among the valuable collection of the Museum. A rare manuscript entitled "Lilawati" on mathematics and an ancient medical encyclopedia transcribed in India is in the collection. Oil and water paintings form an important part of the European collections.

3.1. The Founder’s Gallery The portraits and other personal belongings of the family displayed in the gallery go a long way in recreating the life and times of the Salarjungs. The two Masnads (thrones) exhibiting

golden zari-work, with canopies on silver poles, which were used by Salar Jung I and Salar Jung III, provide additional attraction to the gallery.

The personal belongings, gifts and mementos received by the Salarjungs also find place in this gallery. Rare presentations made to Salar Jung I, such as Silver bowl presented by Edward Albert in 1876, a porcelain vase gifted by the English Minton Porcelain Manufacturers and a nicely written panegyric in Urdu presented to Sir Salar Jung and Nizam VI in memory of their attendance at the Imperial Proclamation of Queen Victoria as Kaisar-E- Hind in 1877 at Delhi are some of the rare presentations displayed in this gallery. Besides the oil portraits of the Nizams of Hyderabad, under whom the members of the Salar Jung family served as Prime Ministers are also exhibited. The gold zari Sherwani worn by Salar Jung III reminds us of the pomp and glory of the eastern nobility. 3.2. Indian Collection The Indian art objects displayed in the Museum are stone sculptures, bronze images, painted textiles (Kalamkari etc.), wooden carvings, miniature paintings, modern paintings, ivory carvings, jade carvings, textiles, metal ware, manuscripts, arms and armour etc. 3.2.1. Indian Stone Sculptures (Gallery No. 4) Though the collection of stone sculptures in the museum is scanty, yet they are quite significant as they depict the characteristic features of different styles that prevailed in India. A railing stone slab with lotus medallion design from Bharhut is exhibited in this gallery. A number of carved stone panels belonging to Mathura, Kausambi, relating to Hindu and Buddhist faiths, a standing figure of Buddha from Nelakondapally (Khammam Dist, ), Mukhalinga from Kausambi, a Yaksha with two consorts, Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Saptamatrikas of the Pallava period, Vishnu as Anantasayana, Parsvanatha, Mahavira in black stone of Kakatiya period, Jain sculptures made on white marble, a beautifully carved Prabhavali of 13th century and an inscribed figure of Parsvanatha in white marble attributed to Rajasthani workmanship of the 15th Century are some of the stone objects that are exhibited in this gallery. 3.2.2 Indian Bronzes The bronze collection of the Museum can give a fairly good idea of the intimate association of this medium of expression in the bygone centuries. The earliest South-Indian bronzes from Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda of Ikshavaku period, standing Vishnu with his usual emblems assignable to Pallava period, number of bronzes pertaining to Chola, Kakatiya, Kalyani Chalukyas and periods have been displayed in this gallery (No.3). The Nataraja, Somaskanda belonging to the Vijayanagara period are the important exhibits. Besides, there are other images, both Saivite and Vaishnavite, which give a fair idea of the existing seismographic forms. Mention may be made of Narasimha, Yoga-Narasimha, Govardhanagiridhari Krishna, Lakshmi Narayana, Ganesa, Sridevi, Bhudevi etc.

3.2.3 Painted Textiles The Kalamkaris are paintings on cloth, partly painted and partly printed. Masulipatnam, Kalahasti and Palakollu are the famous centers of this art in Andhra Pradesh. Masulipatnam and Palakollu varieties are famous for the beautiful floral designs executed on the Kalamkari, while the Kalahasti were famous for producing temple hangings, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. On one huge purdah, a scene from Ramayana is depicted with a Telugu description below. The episodes of Dakshayajna Dhavamsam and Parvati Parinayam with a Telugu inscription, another Kalamkari purdah from Palakollu, belonging to the 19th century C.E. adorn this gallery. The Pichhwai are wall hangings used as backdrops for the gods in temples and most of them show Lord Krishna in one or the other act in the midst of Gopis. The color combinations of these exhibits are quite pleasing as well as interesting and are datable to the 19th century AD on stylistic grounds. 3.2.4 Minor Arts of South India (Gallery No. 5) In this gallery one can have a glimpse of wooden carvings, Nirmal work, Metal ware, ivory carvings. The major part of the gallery houses South Indian wooden carvings. The wooden carvings on display include beautifully carved cabinets fitted with bronze plaques, furniture, door panels, screens, images of gods and goddesses. There are three carved cabinets fixed with small sized bronze plaques for doors. The imposing figure of Garuda, lose carved figures of divinities, Malabar furniture with themes taken from epics also attract the attention. A good collection of lacquer ware from Baiganpally and Nirmal is also on view in this gallery. 3.2.5 Indian Textiles (Gallery No. 6) In this gallery an attempt has been made to educate the visitors with the rich tradition of Indian textiles through varied specimen of fabrics used as well as costumes, furnishings belonging to the last three centuries. The Museum has rich collection of Kashmir shawls in red, yellow, and other colours, brocades, sarees, dupattas, odhnis etc. Besides, there are two Mughal curtains, the chicken work of Lucknow, silk sarees from South India, the Phulkari embroidery of Punjab, printed textiles, bride and bride groom robes are excellent examples. 3.2.6 Ivory Carvings (Gallery.No. 14) The collection of ivory objects gives an idea of ivory as a medium of plastic art and majority of the collection belongs to the 18th and 19th centuries. The chessmen, chausar sets, figure sculptures of royal personages, men and women as well as mythological figures, carved paper cutters and ivory table lamp an excellent example of Mysore workmanship, deserves special mention for its delicate carving and elegant form. Besides there are also procession scenes, delicately carved boxes, fly whisks, animal figures, European and Chinese ivory carving and ivory carvings are some of the exhibits in this gallery. 3.2.7 Arms and Armour (Gallery. No. 16-A) The collection of arms and armour in this gallery is a treasure and contains an amazing variety and an enormous quantity of old arms including fire arms. The collection includes swords, daggers, battle-axes, spears, goads, maces, bows and arrows and gunpowder containers. The defensive weapons include shields, chest plates, helmets and suit of armour belonging to different lands. The firearms include match-lock muzzle loading guns, pistols and revolvers, blunder busses and canons of different shapes and sizes. The arms of the Mughal emperor , Tippu Sultan, Mohammad Shah, Bahadur Shah, Abul Hassan Tanashah and Abdullah Qutub Shah are the important collections in this gallery.

Besides the Persian Abbasi swords (Shamsher) daggers, maces and chain, mail coat including steel helmets and gloves, medieval Indian arms studded with precious and semi- precious stones on hilts and scabbards of swords and daggers, ceremonial weapons of kings and Nobles are also exhibited in this gallery. 3.2.8 Metal Ware (Gallery. No.17) Metal ware and utensils, which were the integral part of everyday life, have been displayed in this gallery. Two showcases in this gallery depict the craftsmanship of Bidri (Bidar in Karnataka) work of bright silver design on the contrasting black body of metal. The gold and silver plate of Madras, the metal ware from Cuttack (Orissa) and Karimnagar (Telangana) are famous for silver filigree work. Islamic metal ware with inscriptions fashioned in Syria and Persia during the rule of the Sultanate and Mughal kings, English ware of hallmark Victorian silver vases, fruit stands, Burmese silver work, Japanese objects, Chinese specimen with enamel decoration on filigree work etc have been exhibited in this gallery. Among the enamel decorated wares are two outstanding examples from Azerbaijan (former USSR) consisting of a tea set and punch bowls with cups have also been exhibited in this gallery. 3.2.9 Miniature Paintings (Gallery No.18) The miniature painting was practiced on cloth, wooden boards, palm leaves etc. before the introduction of paper in India in 14th century C.E. A few leaves of early Jain kalpasutra in the typical style of western India consisting of anecodotes from Jain mythology belonging to 14th,15th and 16th century C.E have been exhibited in this gallery. A painted page from “Bala Gopala Sruti” will prove that even the works of Brahmanical cult were painted in the style of jainkal pasutras, some fine examples of Mughal miniatures like “The Birth of Prince”, Babur dictating his memories to a Chronicler, the portrait of Raja Vikramaditya and the European miniature, Madonna and child, the portrait of a prince with a hawk in his right hand, the ‘King with Nobles etc. have been displayed in the gallery. The Deccan Sultanates have also patronized the art of miniature painting. The Museum has rich collection of miniatures and illustrated manuscripts from the Deccan like ‘Bhog Bal’ dated to 1600 C.E from Bidar, a painting showing Jamshid Quli and Ibrahim Quli conversing yogini with fly whisk, example of Golkonda school, Elephant fight from Bijapur, the Rajasthani, the Malwa paintings with scenes from Ramayana, Ragini of Bundi school, paintings from Pahari region of Punjab, Basholi-Kangra region, the portrait of Raja Prakash Chand from Guler, Krishna playing with Gopikas from Bilaspur, the palace scenes from Chamba are some of the finest paintings on display in the gallery. 3.2.10 Modern Paintings (Gallery No. 17 A) The paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Abhanindhranath Tagore, Nandlal Bose, Chugtai, B.B.Mukherjee, V.S.Masoji are the important specimen of south India, Mughal and , have been exhibited in this gallery. Among the note worthy post-Bengal school artists, who evolved a new idiom in art, painters like M.F.Hussain, K.K.Hebbar, Ram Kinker, to mention a few, are also on display in this gallery. 3.2.11 Jade Carvings (Gallery No.25) Jade is a semi-precious stone quarried from Central Asia and Burma in the east and from America, New Zealand and few other European countries in the west. It is believed that the jade carvings reached its zenith during the Mughal period and a large variety of objects of daily use like wine cups, jugs, vases, archer’s, rings, handles of swords and daggers,

powder flasks, mirror frames, chourie holders, spice-boxes and jewellry made of green and white jade inscribed with the name of its owner “Shamsuddin Ilthamish”, the king of Slave dynasty with date as 607 Hijri era (1209-10 C.E) is the earliest specimen of Islamic jade not only in India but also in the world. An archer’s ring inscribed with the legend “Sahib-e-kiran-i-sani”, a title of Shahjahan, is a masterpiece fashioned in dark green jade. There are several wine cups, mirror frames, animal shaped handles of daggers and gun powder flasks made of jade in white and green colours dated to 17th century C.E. The Indian jade consists of incising beautiful floral and geometrical designs, inlay of gold and studding of precious gems like diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire which present a pleasing contrast to the eyes of the beholder. Amongst the Chinese jade objects, mention must be made of flower vases, urns, paper cutters, knives, belt buckles, snuff-bottles and screens datable to 18th and 19th centuries C.E. 3.3 Middle Eastern Art The Middle-Eastern art is represented through its art objects from Persia, Syria and covering the diverse media like carpets, manuscripts, ceramics, glass, metal ware, furniture, lacquer etc. These objects give a fair idea of the artistic achievements of the craftsmen of these regions in a fitting manner. 3.3.1 Carpets (Gallery No. 27) The Persian carpets occupy an unique place in the Mid Eastern art collections of the Museum. Few specimens with intricate weaving and decked with different ornamental patterns from Persia are represented in this gallery. 3.3.2. Arabic and Persian Manuscripts (Gallery No.29) The Arabic and Persian manuscripts form the most valuable collection of the Museum. They are the works of well-known Calligraphers exhibiting their mastery over the art of calligraphy. The earliest manuscript on show is a holy Quran written on parchment in kufic script is datable to 9th century C.E. Besides there are a number of holy both illuminated and embellished, adorn the gallery. Other noteworthy manuscripts on display are a Mesopotamian embellishment and calligraphy written in Naskh style bearing the autographs of emperors Jehangir, , and Aurangazeb. Besides other noteworthy manuscripts on the display are the Quatrain of Omar Khayyum written for Sultan Hussain of Persia and autographed by princess Jehanara Begum, daughter of Shah Jahan, an illuminated Holy Quran, Shah-Nama by Firdausi written by Mohd-b-Abdul Rahman Sammarqandi in 1424 C.E, two beautiful lacquered doors containing the verses of Hafiz and showing hunting scene, speak volumes of their craftsmanship. 3.3.3. Egyptian and Syrian Art (Gallery No.26A) The major of the Egyptian art objects on display are only copies made after the originals from the important tombs of the early Egyptian kings. The art objects consist of furniture, applique work and ivory carvings. The center of attraction is the superb replica of Tut-ankh- amun’s throne, the original of which is in Egyptian Museum at Cairo datable to 1340 C.E. The applique work panels form an interesting group as they depict innumerable gods, divine figures, hieroglyphs and religious symbols. The Syrian art objects comprise of a good number of furniture items with magnificent work of inlay done in mother of pearl. The inlay gives shining luster to the furniture and depicts geometrical patterns like squares, triangles, lozenges etc. Two beautiful metal objects, namely a lamp and an incense burner having perforated designs all over and inscribed in Arabic of 18th century are worthy of attention to the visitor.

3.4. Far Eastern Art This Museum is one of the few Indian Museums which can boast of a fairly extensive collection of Far Eastern art consisting of Sino-Japanese art objects. The collection includes porcelain, bronze ring, wood and inlay work. 3.4.1. Chinese Collection (Gallery No. 31) Chinese art of porcelain collection representing the most comprehensive range of export wares dating from 12th -19th centuries C.E in this gallery, is the remarkable collection. Among the earliest examples is a beautiful plate depicting a dragon and fish in relief and another plate showing only a dragon in relief datable to Sung period of 12th-13th Century C.E. The Ginger jars with covers decorated with flowers and birds in white celadon glaze datable to 17th Century C.E belongs to Ming period. The blue and white porcelain mainly of jars and plates meant for imperial use and belong to Ming period datable to the 17th Century C.E. The celadon ware with a typical grey green glaze consists of mysterious qualities like detecting poison by changing its colours, if poisonous food is served in these vessels. The snuff bottles, enamel ware lacquer work on wood, inlaying of wooden furniture, embroideries are some of the Chinese collection in this gallery 3.4.2 Japanese Art (Gallery No. 35) The earliest pieces of Japanese art in the Museum’s collection are blue and white porcelain of Arita datable to 17th Century C.E. Noteworthy examples are a flat small size goggled – shaped bottle painted with flower bunches and a plate decorated with a central hexagonal panel containing flowers and grass hoppers vases, trays, embroideries, woodblock prints or woodcuts, water color paintings, lacquer work, inlay ivory work are some of the Japanese art works in this gallery. In these objects their exquisite workmanship and perfect treatment of the subject are of considerable attraction to the visitors. 3.4.3 The Far Eastern Statuary This gallery presents an interesting picture of the sculptural art of countries like , Tibet, Thailand and Burma in South East Asia, apart from the works of and in the Far East. The statuary is made on bronze, metal and wood. The majority of these objects in this gallery are Buddhist sculptures that show everlasting impact of Buddhism which has spread from Indian Subcontinent to China, Japan etc. The bronze figure of standing Bodhisattva Avalokiteswara (called in China as Kwan Yin) assignable to Yung Cheng period (1721- 36 C.E) exhibited in this gallery is the most popular Buddhist divinities in China. A pair of male and female bronze figures bearing incense carriers is good examples of 19th Century Chinese art. The Japanese statuary is the group of SAMURAIS in bronze as well as in metal, denotes typical warrior caste in Japan. They are known for their fierce personal loyalty to their Chiefs, their prowess with sword or other weapons is legendary. Nepal produced a flourishing school of Buddhist sculptures in bronze &copper which created religiously expressive and aesthetically pleasing images. The notable objects of Nepal on display are a standing and a seated Tara datable to 18th Century C.E. The Burmese Buddhist images have a grace and beauty probably influenced by Indian style. A seated Buddha with an inscription on the pedestal and a four handed Tara assignable to 18th Century C.E. are the important objects of Burmese art. The figure of Bodhisattva Maitreya and a seated figure of Buddha from Tibet are the excellent examples of Tibetan art displayed in this gallery. A dancer and a bearded man from Thailand also adorn this gallery.

3.5. European Art (Gallery No. 20) The Salar Jung Museum stands unique for its European collections, comprising of art objects ranging from excellent examples of oil paintings, aesthetically attractive glass objects to majestic furniture, splendid examples of ivories, enamel ware, clocks and oil and water color paintings form an important part of the European collections. Though the major group on view is mainly 19th Century British painters, the gallery also includes examples of traditional French school, beautiful Italian landscapes, the picturesque scenes of Munich painters . The three European paintings are ‘Geneva’, a water color attributed to Joseph Turner ( 1775- 1851 ) and oil paintings by John Constable ( 1776- 1837 ) and belong to British master painters. Two famous pictures done by Sir Frederick Leighton ( 1896 ), Ex – President of the Royal Academy of Arts, are ‘Ariadne ‘ abandoned by Thescus’ and ‘Paolo-e- Francesa’, ‘Hide and seek ‘ and ‘Hush Baby’, two fine pictures by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema are remarkable for their clarity of colours, smooth finish and dramatic expressions. A big canvas titled ‘Orpheus and Eurydice ‘done by G.F.Watts (1817-1904), another English painter, forms a great attraction to the visitors. Many excellent canvases were done by several European painters like British, Italy, Venice, French etc and are the best examples of European art. 3.5.1 European Porcelain Among the European countries which took to producing porcelain, France stands out for its exquisite works of art under the liberal royal patronage. Among the notable examples of mention may be made of two splendid vases from ‘Sevres’ factory said to have been presented by Emperor Louis XVI of France to Catherine II of Russia. The two big sized vases depicting hunting scenes are said to have been presented by Louis XV of France to Tippu Sultan of Mysore . Two beautiful porcelain figurines showing in royal costume and Josephine bring out the character of the ‘ Hero of French Revolution ‘and his beloved, are a tribute to the technical achievement of the French craftsmen. Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign is the theme of two vases executed dexterously in red colour. The gallery possesses a sizeable collection of Dresden (Germany) porcelain .The two big size vases showing ‘Becage’ work showing butterflies, fruits, insects etc. in relief are interesting. The English porcelain collection (Gallery No.21) is of varied types produced mostly during the 19th Century C.E. The exquisite porcelain figures of French and English soldiers were manufactured in London in 1915 in commemoration of Centenary of Waterloo battle where Napoleon was defeated by Wellington in 1815, are quite attractive. The Wedgewood pottery collection is represented by Portland vase made in 1790. 3.5.2. European Glass (Gallery No. 24) Glass is one of the most remarkable and fascinating substances known to man. This art objects housed in this Museum are represented by glass makers of Venice, France, England, Bohemia, Belgium etc. Glass objects from Venice are enamel painted glasses, vases, decanters, and bowls. The English glass objects on view belong mostly to 18th and 19th Centuries C.E and are very light, thin and proportionate in shape like wine glasses with designs. The collection of Bohemian glass objects attract the visitors and are decanters, bowls, cut enameled containing floral designs on a red color background. The French glasses on view show the vases in opaque with paintings of floral designs. The gallery houses a good number of beautiful Chandeliers, wall brackets, Cheekas, Handis, lamps,

candle bars etc. from France, England, Ireland and Venice. Glass Rooms and Jade Rooms are outstanding examples of the chandelier collection.

3.6. Clocks (Gallery.No.28) The Museum possesses a good number of clocks collected from different countries of Europe like France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Holland etc .The variety includes the bird- cage clocks, bracket clocks, grandfather clocks, skeleton clocks etc. The clock which attracts the visitors every day is a British bracket clock which has got a mechanical device by which a miniature toy figure comes out of an enclosure and strikes the gong each hour and then immediately returns back to the enclosure. This clock is a highlight of the Museum collection and attracts all the visitors in this gallery.

The European furniture from France and England are cabinets, chairs, sofa sets, commodes, consoles elegant screens, Table etc.

3.7. European Bronze sculptures (Gallery. No 26) The European bronze images in this gallery consist of originals as well as copies of some of the well known sculptures. The objects comprise of several portraits of statesmen, famous poets, and well known philosophers. The Greek sculptures are Night Watchman, a man holding a lamp, the Statue of Liberty, Alexander on horseback, Augustus Ceasar etc. The marble statues from Italy, France and England form a sizeable collection in gallery 16. Among the statues on display, the ‘Veiled Rebecca’ by the well known Italian sculpture Benzoni is a master piece. It was acquired by Salar Jung when he visited Italy in 1876. The ‘Mother and child’ ‘Daphne‘, a sea Nymph, Cleopatra by Borione ‘Babe‘ by a French sculptor, wooden statue of Mephistopeles, and Margaretta etc are the important collection in this gallery. 3.8. Children’s Section The objects displayed in the Children section are clay models of a Indian village, bronze figures, porcelain ware, musical boxes, marble statues and toys from different parts of the world. The toy soldiers, tanks, medical staff are made on tin and are painted in different

colors, wild animals in bronze, stone carvings from Korea & Japan are some of the displayed objects in this gallery. 4. The Museum Library and Manuscripts The rich collection of the library consists of about 8000 manuscripts and more than 14000 printed books in Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Urdu languages. The collection of English books is to the tune of 29000, which includes research journals, Albums of rare photographs and valuable engravings. The oldest book in the collection is ‘The General Histories of the Turkes’ published in 1631. Another important book is a famous French romantic story ‘Cassandra, the Fam ‘d Romance’, which was translated in English by Sir Charles Colterell and published in London in 1661.. A Bible in Hebrew in two volumes published in 1667. The English translations of the original Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Turkish and Urdu languages covering the memoirs and biographies of Mughal Emperors, the history of medieval India, well known literary works of Persian and Urdu writers, printed books in Arabic, Persian and Urdu with emphasis on Islam and Islamic theology and good collection of manuscripts and illustrated manuscripts containing miniatures belong to different countries have been preserved in this Library. Besides few rare Arabic, Persian and Urdu miniatures, two Qutub Shahi ornate copies of the manuscript ‘NAURAS’, compiled by Ibrahim Adilshah of Bijapur are some of the private collection of this Library. The manuscripts are rare and remarkable, both for their quality and quantity. There are facilities for the scholars to refer these rare and important books in the Library. 5. Conclusion The Salar Jung Museum is presently under reorganization in the three buildings named after the erstwhile Noble family of the Salar Jung, as Mir Laiq Ali Khan Bhavan ( Eastern Block ) which houses the collection from Far East and South Asian countries, Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Bhavan, the already existing building which houses the Indian collection, the Children section, the Museum Library and Offices and Mir Turab Ali Khan Bhavan ( Western Block ) which houses the European collection of the Museum including the Marble Gallery, the Bronze Gallery, European Painting Gallery and the Glass Gallery . This National Museum with international standards of display of objects is attracting huge crowds both domestic and foreign tourists who ever visit the city of Hyderabad. Thus this Museum is promoting Indian culture not only in India but also outside the country through its display of rare exhibits.