SALARJUNG MUSEUM

SALARJUNG MUSEUM

The Salar Jung Museum was established in 1951. Most of the museum's collection was purchased by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, popularly known as Salar Jung III. In the absence of direct descendants of Salar Jung III, the Government of India appointed a Committee to administer the Salar Jung estate. Subsequently, with the idea of perpetuating its name, the Salar Jung Museum was created on December 16, 1951 in Diwan Deodi, the residential palace of Salar Jung III and opened to the public by Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India. In 1958, the government of India took over the museum through a deed of commitment. Until 1958 this museum was administered by the Salar Jung Estate Committee. In 1961, through a law of parliament, the Salar Jung Museum along with its library was declared as "institution of national importance". The museum continued to be administered by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs,.

The administration of the museum was transferred to an Autonomous Board, having as President the Governor of A.P. The museum was moved to its present building in 1968.

The Salar Jungs family had assumed such great importance that five of their relatives served as Prime Ministers to the Nizams, who were the former rulers of Hyderabad.

Mir Turab Ali Khan - Salar Jung I, was awarded the title of Salar Jung Bahadur at the age of 13. At the age of 24 he was appointed Prime Minister by then Nizam, Nasir-ud-Daulah. He was a great administrator, known for his reforms and also a connoisseur of art. He died in the year 1882.

His eldest son, Mir Laiq Ali Khan, was named first secretary of the Council of Regency and later member of the Council of State. He was appointed Prime Minister in 1884 by then-Nizam, Mir Mehboob Ali Khan. He spent most of his time in continuing social reforms that were suspended by his father Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I. When he was only 26 years old he died in Poona, leaving behind a 24-day child, Abul Qasim Mir Yousuf Ali Khan.