Hyderabad is possibly one of the best cities to be in if you love history, or just have a penchant to discover new things in Indian museums. From historical museums that stock some of the oldest antiques in the world to whimsical ones, Hyderabad has a host of museums you can discover leisurely. Here are 12 places to visit in Hyderabad if you're a museum person.
12 Places To Visit In Hyderabad If You're A Museum Person
Salar Jung Museum
The most iconic museum in Hyderabad, Salarjung Museum houses the world's largest one-man collection of antiques collected by Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III, the former Prime Minister of the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad. It houses extensive collection of antiques including weapons, crockery, and art collected from all around the world. One of the main attractions of the place is the Grand Clock which is run mechanically, the clock contains puppets that get activated at specific times during the day. Another piece of art you cannot miss is the Veiled Rebecca acquired from Rome — the statue is carved in a way that looks like a woman is covered in a thin piece of cloth., it is stunning to say the least. The craftsmanship is par excellence, which makes Salarjung a must visit.
Nizam's Museum
If you'd like to get a taste of the royal life and experience how the Nizams lived, we highly recommend visiting the Nizam's Museum in Purani Haveli, the erstwhile residence of the rulers. The museum contains everyday serveware that was used by the royals, the throne, beds, clothing, and even the longest closet in the world. You will also find a charming manually operated elevator here that was used back in the day.
Telangana State Archaeology Museum
The Telangana State Archaeology Museum houses Ajanta paintings, bronze artefacts, armours, numismatics, stone sculptures, manuscripts, modern paintings, and textiles. You will also find Buddhist and Hindu sculptures belonging to the Chalukyan and Vijayanagara period. One of the coolest additions to the museum is an Egyptian Mummy of the daughter of the sixth pharaoh of Egypt. There's also a copy of the Holy Quran with the seal from Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor who built the Taj Mahal.
YK Antiques Museum
This home museum contains an extensive collection of antiques that were used back in the day. Personal care items like combs, mirrors, and kitchenware in brass and cast iron as well as other artefacts are on display. It is a must visit if you'd like to get a taste of traditional South Indian homes and how they operated.
Sudha Car Museum
Possibly one of the most amusing Indian museum you will ever visit, the Sudha Car Museum set up by Sudhakar Yadav, houses over 150 varieties of cars. The difference? The car maker is known to create quirkily shaped cars including ones that look like a condom, a camera lens, toilet, helmet, handbag, and even a stiletto! All the cars are handmade, complete with information on the make and manufacture, the manufacturing time, and their average velocity. There are several vintage cars on display as well.
Chowmahalla Palace
A must visit place in Hyderabad, Chowmahalla Palace also has a museum that houses pictures of the erstwhile Nizams, a few documents, paintings, and a fully set-up study room exactly the way it was kept back in the day. The coolest part of the Palace, is their car museum with some of the best vintage cars including a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.
Nehru Centenary Tribal Museum
If you're fascinated by how various tribes in India live in harmony with nature, then you must make a visit to the Nehru Centenary Tribal Museum in Masab Tank. The two storey Indian museum showcases the simple yet vibrant lifestyle of tribes from Andhra Pradesh like Kondareddi, Bagata, Lambadas and Chenchus. Stories here are depicted through pictures, literature, and an audio-visual experience.You can also browse through a variety of tools they used like bird, rat, and fish traps; bows and arrows and other hunting equipment. Several wooden musical instruments and scenes of tribal dances are on display as well.
Surendrapuri Mythological Museum
Take a long drive to Surendrapuri to witness all the mythologies we've heard growing up, live in action. The Surendrapuri Theme Park/Museum has live scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharatha depicted through statues and life-size structures. You will also find a host of Hindu temples around the museum.
Rail Museum
If you've got a Sheldon Cooper in your gang who is obsessed with trains, a visit to the Rail Museum should be on your bucket list. The museum houses various aspects and interesting facts about the history of railways in India, how the coaches and bogies evolved over the years, and various tools used in the railways. The museum is fun to visit even with kids, to educate them on one of the most reliable and affordable forms of transport in India.
Health Museum
This one's not for the faint of hearted, but if you're an anatomy enthusiast then head to the Health Museum in Lakdikapul. Aside from the various facts on health and how to maintain your body, the museum also has various organs like the brain, a human foetus, and others on display. The place was inaugurated in 1948. And even though the museum is not well maintained, go here if you'd like to take a look at all the human organs and even a skeleton on display.
LBB's Tip: Read more about it here.
Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum
The Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum is the first permanent interactive museum on Peace Truth Ahimsa in India. They provide different programmes for students and individuals depicting the various facets of Mahatma Gandhi and the work he did throughout his life, including the celebrities he met, his work in South Africa to name a few things. The museum also has a mobile store where you can purchase souvenirs, ranging from apparel, books, bags, desktop accessories, figurines, personal accessories, timepieces, and writing instruments.
LBB's Tip: Read more here.
Heritage Jail Museum
The Heritage Jail Museum, housed in the Sangareddy Jail was built in 1796 during the Nizam era. The corridors of the prison are adorned with a handful of paintings that depict the crimes and punishments that were pervasive in India, Europe, and also the ones under the Indian Penal Code. There's also a tiny store inside where you can buy products made by the prisoners. You can also choose to 'Feel The Jail' — for a sum of INR 500, where you'll be handed a prisoner's uniform, where for the next 24 hours, you're entirely cut off from the outside world. You'll be served the same meals as the prisoners, think upma, roti, dal, rice, rasam, and more. And while not mandatory, you can also indulge in some gardening and cleaning in the courtyard, only to go back to your cell after dinner. The next morning you can check out but if you intend to quit the experience mid-way, you've got to pay INR 1,000 as a fine. Talk about not-so-cheap thrills!