Hyderabad: 15 June, Posted at 9:48 AM IST
Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday participated in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations marking 75 years of the Salar Jung Museum and the 137th birth anniversary of Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, popularly known as Salar Jung III, in Hyderabad. The Governor ceremonially inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp in the presence of Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Charminar MLA Mir Zulfiqar Ali Khan and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla praised the rich cultural and historical legacy preserved by the Salar Jung Museum and highlighted its importance in promoting India’s diverse civilizational heritage. He noted that institutions such as the Salar Jung Museum play a crucial role in preserving history and educating future generations.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka remarked that while some institutions are built within cities, others help shape the very soul of a city. He described the Salar Jung Museum as a reflection of Hyderabad’s cultural spirit, secular values and historical consciousness.
The Deputy Chief Minister paid tribute to Salar Jung III for preserving and collecting thousands of rare artefacts from across the world. He noted that assembling nearly 43,000 objects was not merely an act of collection but a demonstration of extraordinary dedication to art, history, and civilization. According to him, the museum transformed a private collection into a public treasure that continues to educate and inspire generations.
Highlighting the institution’s unique character, he said the museum houses Hindu bronze idols, copies of the Holy Quran, Christian Madonna sculptures, Buddhist artefacts, and numerous objects representing different faiths and cultures. He described the museum as a living example of secularism and the Deccan’s famed Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb.
Bhatti Vikramarka also spoke about the Telangana government’s plans to rejuvenate the Musi River. Comparing the vision to internationally recognized riverfront developments such as those along the Thames and the Seine, he said the government aims to transform the neglected river into a vibrant public and tourism space. The Salar Jung Museum, he added, would become a cultural crown of the future Musi Riverfront.
The government is also planning to integrate the museum into a larger Old City Heritage Circuit connecting Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Chowmahalla Palace, and Falaknuma Palace. Proposed initiatives include guided heritage walks, multilingual tourism services, improved transport connectivity, and night tourism activities.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that heritage preservation should generate employment opportunities for local guides, artists, hospitality workers, and transport operators. He also called for stronger partnerships between the museum and educational institutions, including universities and premier research institutes, to encourage student engagement with history and culture.
Concluding his address, Bhatti Vikramarka thanked the curators, conservators, security personnel, cleaners, and administrative staff who have safeguarded the institution over the decades. He stated that preserving and modernizing the invaluable legacy of Salar Jung III for future generations would be the most meaningful tribute to his vision.
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