Telangana State Museum Plans to Expand Its Collection

Hyderabad: The State Archaeology Museum in Public Gardens, the oldest museum in the city dating back to the 1920s, houses a diverse collection of artifacts reflecting the region’s rich history. Its galleries feature inscriptions, Ajanta paintings, Islamic art, and archaeological remains from the Buddhist, Jain, Veera Shaivism, and Islamic periods. The museum highlights the historical significance of these treasures and its century-long efforts in preservation.

The museum also displays ancient fonts such as Thuluth and Nasqh, which were used in earlier periods, while Shikasta, a more complex font, emerged during the Mughal court.

Md Sibghatullah Khan, the founder of the Deccan Archive, who organised a walk at the museum, explained their goal of offering in-depth exploration of museum galleries. This is a departure from earlier walks that focused on selected artifacts.

“We wanted people to gain detailed insights on inscriptions, manuscripts, and other elements. This is the first in a series of walks planned across Hyderabad's public and private museums, which total around 10,” he explained.

The Archaeology Museum has its historical importance and vast collection. Among the key highlights is the Buddha’s gallery, featuring relics from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including artifacts from Buddhist sites like Phanigiri.

Plans are underway to expand the collection further, reflecting the shared heritage of the region.

The museum’s Ajanta paintings are another treasure. These works represent the first conservation project of Ajanta and Ellora. The original copies displayed here are considered unique, as such preserved pieces are rarely found elsewhere in India.

The Islamic art gallery, another major attraction, includes manuscripts, folios, and books collected from the Mughal and Deccani periods. Some of these artifacts were acquired by the Archaeological Department in Allahabad and later relocated to Hyderabad. The inscriptions also drew attention, with scripts ranging from simpler fonts developed in Central Asia to more complex ones created in India during the Mughal era.