Hyderabad: Efforts to enhance tourism in Telangana have been initiated by the Nizam’s family, who have requested Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to return the Nizam’s jewellery to Hyderabad from its current location in Delhi.
Himayat Ali Mirza, the great-grandson of the 7th Nizam, has written to the CM suggesting the creation of a special museum in the city to display these jewels. He proposed using vacant government land from the Urban Land Ceiling Act for this purpose.
In his letter, Mirza highlighted the importance of the jewellery, which remains in Delhi, far from its original home in Hyderabad. He noted that these pieces represent a significant historical period that influenced the region’s identity and wealth.
Mirza shared that the collection includes 173 rare and valuable jewellery items acquired by the government in 1995 for Rs 217 crore. The collection is famous for its craftsmanship and heritage, attracting interest from renowned auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s. He recalled being present with his uncle, Prince Muffakham Jah, and others when the jewellery was retrieved from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in Mumbai.
He believes that bringing the jewellery back to Hyderabad could boost employment in tourism and related sectors, attract international tourists, and elevate the city to a global heritage status, potentially benefiting the economy. Mirza mentioned that the Union Minister for Tourism is open to returning the jewellery if a secure facility is provided. He urged the CM to discuss this matter with the Central Government promptly.
