Big Brother SJM dwarfs Nizam’s Museum

Just a stone’s throw from Salar Jung Museum (SJM) stands the Nizam’s Museum.

Tucked away in the by lanes of Purani Haveli the centre is missed by many as there is no proper publicity.

A comparison of numbers proves the point. In 2016, over 12 lakh tourists including 7,896 foreigners visited SJM where as only 85,630 made it to the Nizam’s Museum.

In addition, majority of tourists head straight to Charminar and Chowmahalla palace from SJM.

Dr D Bhaskara Rao, chief curator, HEH The Nizam’s Museum says, “Lack of parking space and awareness among tourists is a major reason for low footfalls.”

Another reason for people not making it to the museum is attributed to the entry fee that is Rs 80 per adult and Rs 15 for child as compared to Rs 20 at the SJM.

Showcasing the collection of Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, seventh and last Nizam of Hyderabad, the museum houses the world’s longest walk-in wardrobe.

It has a two-level storage space stretching 120-ft on each side, silver models of landmark buildings like Arts College, High Court and Public Gardens, exquisite jewellery, glasses, containers and daggers etched with pearls and precious stones.

There is also a 150-year-old manually operated wooden lift at the museum.