Telangana and Andhra Pradesh decide on dividing history

Hyderabad: Officials of Telangana state and AP have begun the process of sharing antiquities housed in museums and those that were unearthed later on. The process is cumbersome and it will be a long time before they are returned to their home states. The distribution is being done as per the provisions of the AP  Reorganisation Act.

Both governments have agreed that all antiquities that were in the Telangana region before 1956 will remain in Telangana state.

Those unearthed between November 1, 1956, when Andhra Pradesh was formed, and June 1, 2014, when the state was divided, will be sent to their respective districts or states.

For example, if an artefact unearthed in Hyderabad was housed in the Vizag museum, it would be returned to the Hyderabad museum. An artefact unearthed in Kadapa that is exhibited in Hyderabad will be returned to Kadapa.

Antiquities and paintings purchased or donated after 1956 will be shared in the ratio of 50:50.

Ms N.R. Visalatchy, director, department of archaeology and museums, said that state-wise lists of antiquities including coins in the State Museum and elsewhere were being prepared.

According to Mr Ramulu Naik, assistant director, the State Museum had 2,82,376 gold, silver, copper, lead, potin and other metal coins from the punch mark era between the Sixth and Second centuries BCE and the Asaf Jahi period.

A tentative list of coins prepared by the State Museum has been kept under wraps till the final agreement is ready. Telangana state is expected to get a major share of the coins since a huge number of ancient coins were in the region before 1956.

There are a large number of paintings, bronze and stone sculptures, cannons, Bidri ware, textiles, manuscripts, items made of enamel and porcelain and weapons which are yet to be identified for division.