Salar Jung Museum is an art museum located at Dar-ul-Shifa on the southern bank of the Musi River in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is an Institution of National Importance under an Act of Parliament and is renowned for its extensive collection of art, antiquities, manuscripts and books from India and several other parts of the world.
A National Institution: The Salar Jung Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of art and antiquities assembled principally by the Salar Jung family. The museum's collections include Indian, Western, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern art, as well as manuscripts, books, arms and armour, jade, textiles, clocks, furniture and other decorative arts.
The museum originated from the private collection of Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III. After his death in 1949, the collection was preserved and subsequently made available to the public. The museum was opened to the public by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on 16 December 1951.
Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan – Salar Jung III (1889–1949)
A Life Devoted to Collecting: Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III, served as Prime Minister of Hyderabad State during the Nizam's rule. He devoted a substantial part of his income over many years to collecting art objects, antiques, manuscripts and books from India and abroad.
Historical accounts describe his personal collection as comprising approximately 43,000 art objects and 50,000 books and manuscripts. These figures refer to the historical collection associated with Salar Jung III and should not be confused with the museum's current collection statistics.
The collection was originally housed at Diwan Deodi, the ancestral residence of the Salar Jung family, where it was displayed as a private museum before being transferred to the institution that became the Salar Jung Museum.
Some older accounts state that a portion of the original collection was lost or removed over the years, including during the period when the collection was housed at Diwan Deodi and during its transfer to the present museum. Such accounts vary in detail and are best treated as historical reports rather than precisely documented totals.
Museum History – From Diwan Deodi to Dar-ul-Shifa
The foundation stone for the present museum building was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963. The museum moved from Diwan Deodi to its present location at Dar-ul-Shifa in 1968. The new building was inaugurated by Dr. Zakir Hussain, then President of India.
The museum complex was subsequently expanded, with additional blocks added in 2000. It now comprises the Central, Western and Eastern blocks and houses numerous galleries displaying collections from India and other parts of the world.
The Salar Jung Museum and its library were declared an Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament in 1961. The museum is administered by a Board of Trustees, with the Governor of Telangana serving as ex-officio Chairman under the statutory framework governing the institution.
Museum at a Glance: The present museum has 39 galleries distributed among its Central, Western and Eastern blocks. The galleries display thousands of objects from the museum's extensive collections, covering periods ranging from approximately the 2nd century BC to the early 20th century AD.
The Global Collection – Art from Across Civilisations
The Salar Jung Museum has a diverse collection of art objects and antiquities from India and other parts of Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Its holdings include sculptures, paintings, carvings, textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, metalware, carpets, clocks, furniture, arms and armour and other decorative arts.
The museum's collections include material associated with India, Japan, China, Burma (Myanmar), Nepal, Persia, Egypt, Europe and other regions. The museum's current collection statistics include 46,000+ art objects, 8,000+ manuscripts and 60,000+ printed books.
Indian Art Collection
The Indian collection includes galleries devoted to Indian bronzes, textiles, sculptures, miniature paintings, ivory carvings, arms and armour, metalware, jade and other forms of decorative and applied art.
Indian Miniature Paintings:
Modern Indian Paintings: The museum collection includes works associated with notable Indian artists including Raja Ravi Varma, M.F. Husain, Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose and Abdur Rahman Chughtai.
Notable Indian Artifacts:
Western Collection – European Art & Decorative Arts
Veiled Rebecca: One of the museum's best-known sculptures is Veiled Rebecca, a marble work by Italian sculptor G.B. Benzoni. Salar Jung I is recorded as having acquired the sculpture during his visit to Italy. The work is admired for the sculptor's rendering of a translucent veil over the figure's face.
The date associated with Veiled Rebecca varies among published descriptions, with museum material referring to the work in connection with Salar Jung I's acquisition in the 19th century. To avoid conflicting dates, it is described here simply as a 19th-century marble sculpture.
The Double Sculpture – Mephistopheles and Margaretta: Another celebrated work is the double-figure wooden sculpture depicting Mephistopheles and Margaretta. A mirror is positioned behind the sculpture so that one side presents the figure of Mephistopheles while the reflection reveals Margaretta, creating its distinctive visual effect.
The Western collection also contains works associated with artists including Canaletto, William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Francesco Hayez. The decorative-arts collection includes European furniture, clocks and other objects associated with different historical periods.
Middle Eastern & Far Eastern Collections
The museum's Middle Eastern and Far Eastern collections contain a variety of decorative and artistic objects, including manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, porcelain, metalware, woodwork and other examples of craftsmanship.
The Far Eastern collections include objects from China, Japan, Tibet and Burma (Myanmar), including Japanese artworks, porcelain, sculptures and other decorative objects. These collections illustrate the wide geographical range of objects collected by the Salar Jung family.
The Quran Collection – Sacred Manuscripts
The museum has an important collection of Quranic manuscripts from different regions and periods, including manuscripts featuring elaborate calligraphy and decorative work. Some manuscripts contain calligraphy executed using gold and silver.
The manuscript collection also includes works on literature, religion, science and other subjects. A manuscript of Lilawati, a classical Indian mathematical text, and an ancient medical work are among the notable manuscripts associated with the collection.
The Famous Clock Gallery
The museum's clock collection includes a wide variety of timepieces, ranging from sundials and early clocks to elaborate European mechanical clocks. Examples include bird-cage clocks, bracket clocks, grandfather clocks and skeleton clocks.
The Musical Clock: One of the museum's best-known exhibits is a British bracket clock acquired by Salar Jung III from Cook and Kelvey. Its mechanical mechanism causes a miniature figure to emerge from an enclosure and strike a gong according to the hour before returning inside. The clock is a longstanding visitor attraction.
The museum also displays European clocks associated with the periods of Louis XV, Louis XVI and Napoleon I, representing clockmaking traditions from countries including France, England, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Other Notable Collections
Facilities & Activities
Museum Facilities
- Reference Library
- Reading room
- Publication and education facilities
- Conservation facilities
- Sales counter for souvenirs and publications
- Cafeteria
- Children's educational facilities
Educational Activities
- Special exhibitions
- Workshops and educational programmes
- Seminars and special events
- Museum Week programmes
- Children's Week activities
- Research publications and guidebooks
The museum conducts educational and cultural programmes, exhibitions and other activities from time to time. Availability and schedules may vary, so visitors should check the museum's official website or information desk for current programmes.
2006 Fire Incident & Safety Measures
On 3 November 2006, a fire broke out in the auditorium of the museum's Western Block. Parliamentary records state that the fire was confined to the auditorium area and that no priceless antiques or artifacts were damaged. Furniture, fixtures, fittings and portions of the false ceiling were affected.
Fire-safety measures were subsequently strengthened at the museum. The incident is an important part of the institution's modern history, particularly because the museum houses a large collection of irreplaceable cultural objects.
Visitor Information
Museum Timings
Open: All days except Fridays and national holidays
Timings: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Ticket counter closes at 5:15 PM.
Entry Fee
Indian Adults above 18: ₹50 per person
Indian Children above 5: ₹20 per person
Foreign Visitors: ₹1,000 per person
Children up to 5: Free
Photography: ₹50 for still camera / smartphone photography
Address & Contact
Address: Salar Jung Road, Dar-ul-Shifa, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500002, India
Phone: +91 40 2457 2558 / 2457 6443
Mobile: +91 8074071951
Website: www.salarjungmuseum.in
How to Reach
Area: Dar-ul-Shifa, near the historic Charminar area
Metro: MG Bus Station is one of the nearby metro stations
Bus: Accessible by Hyderabad city bus services
Auto/Cab: Autos and app-based taxis are available from across Hyderabad
Visitor Tip: Allow several hours if you want to explore the museum's major collections in detail. The Musical Clock is traditionally demonstrated on the hour, while Veiled Rebecca and the Double Sculpture are among the museum's most recognized highlights. Check the museum's current visitor instructions before your visit, particularly regarding photography and special exhibitions.
Visitor Tips – What You Need to Know:
- Closed on Fridays – The museum is normally closed on Fridays and national holidays.
- Allow several hours – The museum has 39 galleries and a large collection spread across multiple blocks.
- See the Musical Clock – The famous mechanical clock features a miniature figure that emerges and strikes the gong according to the hour.
- Don't miss Veiled Rebecca – One of the museum's most celebrated European sculptures.
- Look for the Double Sculpture – Mephistopheles and Margaretta are presented through a distinctive sculpture-and-mirror arrangement.
- Check photography rules – Still-camera and smartphone photography are subject to the museum's applicable fee and rules.
- Wear comfortable footwear – Exploring the museum's galleries involves considerable walking.
- Combine with Old City attractions – Charminar, Makkah Masjid, Chowmahalla Palace, Laad Bazaar and Nizam's Museum are all in the broader historic Old City area.
Photography Tips – Must-Capture Spots:
- Veiled Rebecca – Observe the sculpture's marble veil and fine carving details.
- Double Sculpture – The sculpture and mirror arrangement creates its distinctive visual effect.
- The Musical Clock – Time your visit around the hourly mechanical demonstration, subject to current museum arrangements.
- Manuscript Collection – The museum contains elaborately decorated manuscripts and Quranic calligraphy.
- Japanese & Chinese Objects – Look for the detailed craftsmanship represented in the Far Eastern collections.
Photography is subject to museum rules, applicable fees and restrictions on individual exhibits. Follow instructions displayed inside the galleries.
Nearby Attractions
Key Features Summary
- Name: Salar Jung Museum
- Location: Salar Jung Road, Dar-ul-Shifa, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500002
- Opened to Public: 16 December 1951 by Jawaharlal Nehru
- Status: Institution of National Importance under an Act of Parliament
- Current Collection: 46,000+ art objects, 8,000+ manuscripts and 60,000+ printed books
- Number of Galleries: 39
- Founder/Principal Collector: Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III (1889–1949)
- Historical Salar Jung III Collection: Approximately 43,000 art objects and 50,000 books and manuscripts, according to historical accounts
- Star Attractions: Veiled Rebecca and the Double Sculpture of Mephistopheles and Margaretta
- Historical Collections: Arms and armour, jade objects, ivory carvings, manuscripts, paintings, textiles, clocks and decorative arts
- Clock Gallery: Includes the famous British bracket Musical Clock associated with Cook and Kelvey
- Geographic Coverage: Indian, European, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern collections
- Closed: Fridays and national holidays
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; ticket counter closes at 5:15 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indian adults above 18; ₹20 for Indian children above 5; ₹1,000 for foreign visitors; children up to 5 free
Why Visit the Salar Jung Museum? – A nationally important museum in Hyderabad | One of the world's renowned one-man collections associated with Salar Jung III | 46,000+ art objects, 8,000+ manuscripts and 60,000+ printed books | 39 galleries | Veiled Rebecca | The Double Sculpture of Mephistopheles and Margaretta | Historic arms and armour and Mughal-period jade objects | Quranic and other manuscripts | A famous mechanical Musical Clock | European, Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Indian art | Located on the southern bank of the Musi River in Dar-ul-Shifa near Hyderabad's historic Old City.