About Salar Jung Museum

Salar Jung Museum is one of the largest art museums in India. It stands at Darulshifa, on the southern bank of the Musi river in the old city of Hyderabad, not far from Charminar. The museum holds a huge collection of objects from India, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, most of it gathered by one family. It has the status of an Institution of National Importance and is a favourite with students, families and art lovers.

History

Most of the collection was built up by Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, known as Salar Jung III. He served for a short time as prime minister of the Nizam's Hyderabad State. For about 35 years he spent a large part of his income buying art from around the world. After his death in 1949, the collection was handed to the nation. The museum opened in 1951 in his family palace, Dewan Devdi, and moved to the present building on the river bank in 1968. The museum's official website lists about 40 galleries and more than 48,000 art objects, along with thousands of rare manuscripts and books.

What to see and do

• See the Veiled Rebecca, a white marble statue from Italy in which the thin veil over the face looks almost real.
• Look at the double statue of Mephistopheles and Margaretta, carved in wood, which shows a different figure on each side.
• Wait near the old British musical clock, where a small figure comes out to strike the gong every hour.
• Admire jade daggers and weapons linked to Mughal emperors, and items linked to Tipu Sultan.
• Walk through galleries of Indian miniature paintings, textiles, silverware, ivory and glass.
• Visit the Far Eastern and European galleries with Japanese, Chinese and Western art.

Best time to visit

The museum is indoors, so it is good in any season, even on hot summer days or during the rains. Weekday mornings are the quietest. School trips and weekend crowds fill the halls later in the day. Many visitors try to be near the musical clock just before noon to watch the longest chime. Note that the museum is closed on Fridays.

How to reach

The museum is about 2 km north of Charminar. Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) and the MGBS metro station are about 1.5 km away. Nampally (Hyderabad) railway station is about 5 km away, and Secunderabad railway station is about 10 km away. Autos and cabs are easy to find, and many city buses pass through Afzalgunj nearby. There is parking inside the museum grounds.

Tips for visitors

• Plan at least three hours. The collection is large, so pick the galleries you most want to see.
• Mobile and camera photography needs a separate ticket.
• You may be asked to leave large bags at the cloakroom.
• Book tickets online to skip the queue at the counter.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking across the two floors.

Salar Jung Museum is one of the top heritage sights on our Hyderabad tourist places page. It is easy to combine with Charminar and Chowmahalla Palace on the same day. You can also see it with other highlights on our One Day Hyderabad City Tour.