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Centre-Naidu tussle for Nizam's treasure

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

The Indian government is not likely to accede to the request of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to shift the Nizam's jewellery to Hyderabad.

However, there are plans to put up the jewellery for public display in the high-security Hyderabad House -- the Prime Minister's guest house in New Delhi.

According to highly-placed sources, the Union government does not favour transferring the Nizam's jewellery to Hyderabad for security reasons.

The jewellery instead could be put on display in a portion of Hyderabad House. Apart from showcasing the fabulous collection for the VVIPs visiting India, it could also be then thrown open to public for a short period every year.

Counted among the most attractive buildings in New Delhi, Hyderabad House was built by the seventh and last reigning Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It was completed in 1933 and was used by important dignitaries who visited Delhi during the Nizam's heydays.

The Indian government took over the building after the integration of erstwhile Nizam's Dominions with the Indian Union in 1948.

Hyderabad House has a banquet hall which can accommodate 1,000 guests, a ball room, a pink room, a dining hall, several bedrooms and exclusive drawing rooms. "There can be no better place to display the magnificent jewellery collection,'' said a senior BJP leader.

However, state BJP leaders support Naidu's demand. ''Sometime back, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Bandaru Dattatreya had made a similar plea. The Nizam's jewellery is a prized possession of Hyderabad. It should be displayed only in Hyderabad," said, V Rama Rao of the BJP.

"There are no two opinions about it in the BJP. The jewellery belongs to Hyderabad. It is part of Hyderabad's culture. Why should anybody oppose the move?"

Majlis-e-Ittehaadul Muslimeen legislator Asaduddin Owaisi echoed the same feelings. "The Nizam's jewellery is part of Hyderabad's cultural heritage. No one need have any reservations on this score. We support Naidu's demand that the jewellery be shifted to Hyderabad," he said.

The Nizam's jewellery, which was acquired by the Indian Government from the Nizam's Jewellery Trust in 1995 for Rs 2,180 million, is worth Rs 20 billion in the international market.

It comprises 173 pieces, including 22 unmounted emeralds, weighing 414.25 carats each.

The collection also includes the Jacob's Diamond, ranked no 9 in the world. It was acquired by the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, from a Jewish diamond merchant.

Among other items in the collection are a diamond-set belt, pearls, turban ornaments, gold belts with diamond-studded buckles, diamond-studded sword sheaths, gold rings, nose rings, brooches, buttons, cuff-links, watches, bangles and anklets.

"The Nizam's jewellery is of outstanding quality and beauty," said Mahmood bin Muhammad, former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and currently a trustee with the Nizam's Trusts.

The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad created two jewellery trusts after the integration of erstwhile Nizam's Dominions with the Indian Union in 1948. The Nizam's Jewellery for Family Trust was formed on January 27, 1952 and the Nizam's Jewellery Trust was created on February 28, 1952.

The jewellery was kept in three steel vaults in the strong room of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation at Flora Fountain in Mumbai for decades before it was moved to Delhi.

Will it once again make its journey back to Hyderbad, only time will tell.

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