Nizam’s Museum
Hyderabad Overview

In the heart of Hyderabad’s old city, Telangana, India, a fascinating collection of articles presented to the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan are put on public display in the Nizam’s Museum or also popularly known as the Silver Jubilee Museum or the Purani Haveli Museum. This museum was created according to the wish of the seventh and the last Nizam of the erstwhile Hyderabad State, which tells about the times and achievements of the people of the State of Hyderabad. It also tells us a lot about the Nizam himself.

His Exalted Highness, The Nizam’s Museum is located in the stately Purani Haveli in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Though not as opulent as the Falaknuma Palace nor as sprawling as Chowmahalla Palace, the Purani Haveli palace holds a special place for the Asaf Jahs, the dynasty of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Several Nizams were born and spent most of their lives at Purani Haveli palace.

The origin of the Purani Haveli goes back to Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the founder of the city of Hyderabad. He belonged to the Qutub Shahi dynasty that ruled the Deccan before the Asaf Jahs. When planning the new city of Hyderabad, Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah allotted the site where Purani Haveli palace now stands for the mansion of his Peshwa (Prime Minister), Mir Momin.

In 1777, Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan (1761-1803), the second Nizam acquired the land from the descendants of Mir Momin to build a palace for his son Nawab Sikander Jah. When Nawab Sikander Jah became the third Nizam in 1803 he moved out of Purani Haveli palace to Chowmahalla palace located at Moti Gali near Charminar Hyderabad.

Purani Haveli remained unoccupied for some time, lost its position of pre-eminence, and came to be known as the Old Palace or Haveli Kadeem.

The palace regained importance during the time of Nawab Afzal-Ud-Dowla, the fifth Nizam, who was born in the palace and resided there. But, it was during the reign of Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam, who was born and lived there most of his life that the Purani Haveli palace reverberated with activity and stories that have become legends.

There are at present more than ten buildings in the Purani Haveli palace. The main building which accommodated the Nizam family is flanked by two long wings running parallel to each other. The Wardrobe, Manual lift, and the Museum are located in one of these wings of the Purani Haveli Palace.

Objectives of the H.E.H The Nizam’s Jubilee Pavilion Trust

  • To maintain the articles of H.E.H the Nizam’s Jubilee Pavilion Trust at all times as a museum or the art gallery or place of exhibition for the viewing pleasure of the inhabitants of Hyderabad and of the visitors to Hyderabad.

  • To protect, preserve, enlarge and improve the collection of the works of art, articles of decoration, pictures, portraits, articles and other collections relating to the museum.

  • To help seekers of knowledge in the study of history and research in the Arts including literary, scientific, historic and religious matters leading to the progress and development of knowledge in general.