Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday, 14 June called the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad the living embodiment of the city's soul and a standing proof of religious harmony and secularism. He was speaking at the museum's 75th anniversary celebrations, held alongside the 137th birth anniversary of Salar Jung III Mir Yousuf Ali Khan — the man credited with assembling the world's largest single-person collection of antiques and art.

A Visionary Behind 43,000 Artefacts

Vikramarka described Salar Jung III, who served as Prime Minister to the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, as a visionary who captured the essence of world civilisation. He noted that while most people struggle to keep track of everyday items, Salar Jung III devoted his personal resources to preserving an entire civilisational record — 43,000 artefacts sourced from across the globe. The Deputy Chief Minister underscored that this was not mere accumulation but an act of profound devotion to art and human heritage.

Symbol of the Deccan's Syncretic Culture

Vikramarka drew attention to the museum's unique character as a space where Hindu bronze idols, copies of the Holy Quran, Christian Madonna sculptures, and Buddhist artefacts coexist under a single roof. He highlighted the presence of ritual objects that combine the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu with verses from the Quran — a rare confluence he said was living proof of the Deccan's 'Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb', or syncretic culture. 'This is not merely a speech about religious harmony,' he remarked, 'but an embodiment of secularism.'

Musi Riverfront and Heritage Tourism Plans

The Deputy Chief Minister linked the museum's future to the Telangana government's broader plan to revitalise the Musi River, which flows beside the museum and which he described as a stream of Hyderabad's memories. He said the government is committed to transforming the long-neglected river into an international-standard riverfront comparable to the Thames in London or the Seine in Paris, and envisions the Salar Jung Museum as the cultural crown jewel of that revitalised corridor.

A comprehensive heritage tourism circuit is being planned to connect the museum with the Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Chowmahalla Palace, and Falaknuma Palace. The plan includes improved transport facilities, night tourism, and guided walks conducted in Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, and English.

Heritage as Livelihood, Not Just Pride

Vikramarka stressed that heritage must translate into economic opportunity — for local guides, artisans, and workers in hospitality and transport. He also situating the museum within Hyderabad's broader identity as a city that straddles history and high technology, noting the city's global standing in biotechnology, information technology, pharmaceuticals, and the emerging field of quantum computing.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, state Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and AIMIM MLA Mir Zulfeqar Ali also addressed the celebrations. As Hyderabad deepens its bid to position heritage alongside its tech economy, the Salar Jung Museum's next chapter will be closely watched.