Nizam’s sword will be back to its origin soon from Scotland
Serpent or snakelike-shaped, a 14th century ceremonial sword, which was sold or gifted by a top officials of Sixth Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur to a British army general about 120 years ago, is set to return to India.
The sword is one of the seven objects to be return to India by Glasgow Life, which manages the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.
Transfer of ownership document was signed by Jaspreet Sukhija, first secretary, High Commission of India, London at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on August 19 last month.
The acquisition document states that the ceremonial sword was purchased from the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad Maharaj Kishen Pershad. A report from the Glasgow museum suggests that the artifact was gifted to the gallery in 1978 by Sir Hunter’s nephew, Archibald Hunter Service who acquired it in 1905. He was Commander-in-chief of the Bombay Command during (1903-1907).
According to the Glasgow museum documentation, the sword was exhibited by Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, Nizam of Hyderabad (1896-1911) at Imperial Durbar held in Delhi in 1903 for a ceremonial reception to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India.
The sword is hammered in the shape of Indo-Persian design which looks like snake and has serrated edges and damascene pattern, with silver plants and gold inlay of tiger and elephant that is dated 1350 AD. This date refers to the early Bahmani ruler first Sultan Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah who founded the kingdom and made Gulbarga its capital in 1347 AD, the kingdom which later divided in five independent dynasties. Nizams must have kept it under their collection as this sword belongs to their ancestors.
Though the sword belongs to Asaf Jahi rulers, there are possibilities of the sword arriving in Hyderabad since the city is its origin.
In this view the Karnataka Government should make all efforts to bring this sword to showcase for public in state, as the large area of Kalyana Karnataka was under Nizams rule.
Once the sword arrives in India many hidden facts will come out through research.