No decision yet on shifting Nizam’s jewels to Hyderabad, Centre tells Rajya Sabha

The Centre told Parliament that the Nizam’s jewels remain under high-security RBI custody since 1995, acknowledged their cultural significance, but said no decision has been taken to shift the collection to Hyderabad for permanent public display.

New Delhi: A set of Nizam’s jewels is under a “high-security custodial arrangement” with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Ministry of Culture recognises the historical, cultural and heritage significance of the jewellery, the government has informed Rajya Sabha.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written response to a query, also said on Thursday that “no decision” has been taken to relocate the collection for a permanent public exhibition in Hyderabad.

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The Nizams ruled the erstwhile Hyderabad State. The territory was merged with the Union of India after Independence.

Shekhawat was asked whether the government is aware that “173 remarkable pieces of the Nizam’s jewels have been securely stored in the vaults of the RBI since 1995”, to which he said, “Yes, sir.”

The minister was also asked whether the government recognises the deep cultural, historical, and emotional significance of the Nizam’s jewels to the people, and the heritage of Hyderabad, and the long-standing public sentiment that these artefacts should be displayed in the city of their origin.

He was also asked whether the government proposes to relocate the collection to Hyderabad for a permanent public exhibition.

The Ministry of Culture “recognises the historical, cultural and heritage significance of the Nizam’s Jewellery, including the public interest associated with these artefacts”, Shekhawat said.

He further said that “as per the existing MoU with the Reserve Bank of India for security, insurance and conservation considerations, the Jewellery is under a high-value, high-security custodial arrangement with the Reserve Bank of India”.

However, no decision has been taken at present to relocate the collection for a permanent public exhibition in Hyderabad, the minister said.