New Delhi: The Union government has informed Parliament that a significant collection of the Nizam’s jewellery remains under a high security custodial arrangement with the Reserve Bank of India, while confirming that no decision has been taken to relocate the collection for a permanent public exhibition in Hyderabad.
The Ministry of Culture stated that the jewellery, which includes 173 historically important pieces, has been kept in secure RBI vaults since 1995. The government acknowledged the immense historical, cultural, and heritage value of the collection, as well as the strong public sentiment attached to these artefacts, particularly among the people of Hyderabad where the Nizams once ruled.
The Nizams governed the erstwhile Hyderabad State prior to Independence, and the region was later merged with the Union of India. The jewellery associated with the Nizam era is widely regarded as one of the most significant royal collections in the country, both for its craftsmanship and its historical relevance.
According to the government, the current custodial arrangement with the Reserve Bank of India is governed by an existing memorandum of understanding. This arrangement takes into account critical factors such as security, insurance, and long term conservation. Given the high value of the artefacts, the jewellery continues to be maintained under stringent protection protocols to ensure its safety and preservation.
While recognising public interest in having the jewels displayed in their city of origin, the government clarified that no formal proposal or decision is presently under consideration to shift the collection to Hyderabad for permanent exhibition. Any such move, it indicated, would require careful evaluation of security, conservation standards, and institutional arrangements.
The statement reflects a balance between acknowledging the emotional and cultural connection of the Nizam’s jewels with Hyderabad and maintaining the existing safeguards that govern their custody. For now, the collection will continue to remain with the RBI under the current high security framework, with no immediate change in its status or location.
