LOST FOREVER

Tales of the Nizam’s jewels are almost legendary now, but people on the inside are of the view that very little is known about the full extent of the treasures. “Lots of pieces were initially taken out of the country in the ’70s,” says a renowned antique dealer from Mumbai, adding, “We had even heard of the Nizam disposing a 1 kg gold Mohur in Switzerland. There were emeralds, Golconda diamonds, a small tea set carved out of rubies, a priceless Baburnama. A giant spinel with the names of Mughal Emperors engraved on it is now with the Al Sabah Collection in Kuwait. That item was originally from Hyderabad. Apart from the jewels there were several other historically important items — collections of miniature paintings gifted by royals through the centuries, carpets, Qurans from the Middle East there’s a huge market for these items even now.”

With museums in the Middle East competing among one another, Mughal and Nizami items have become even more desired nowadays. Islamic art and jewellery has never before had such demand, thanks mainly to the Qataris, Kuwaitis and Saudis, who are all in a mad-dash to hoard up as many pieces they can get their hands on. “There were entire sets of Jadau items, boxes, oudh and ittar daans, kalam daans, everything was studded in diamonds and emeralds, covered in priceless enamel work,” says the dealer. “Much of it has found its way to the Middle Eastern Museums,” he says.