NIZAM'S SWORD

Description

Copyright infringement not intended

Context: A 14th century ceremonial sword that was sold in Hyderabad to a British General in the early 20th century is set to return to India. The sword is among the seven objects being repatriated by Glasgow Life, which manages Glasgow’s museums.

Details:

While the objects were described as stolen, the acquisition document for the sword says it was purchased from Maharaja Kishen Pershad.
The tulwar (sword) was purchased in 1905 by General Sir Archibald Hunter, Commander-in-Chief, Bombay Command (1903-1907), from Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad Bahadur Yamin us-Sultanat, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad.
The tulwar was donated by Sir Hunter’s nephew, Mr. Archibald Hunter Service, to Glasgow Life museums’ collections in 1978.
The sword, shaped like a snake, has serrated edges and a damascene pattern, with gold etchings of an elephant and tigers.
According to the museum documentation, the sword was “exhibited by Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, Nizam of Hyderabad (1896-1911) at the 1903 Delhi or Imperial Durbar, a ceremonial reception held to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India.”
How this ceremonial sword exhibited by Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan was later sold by his prime minster Maharaja Kishen Pershad remains a mystery.
Kishen Pershad hailed from the family of Maharaja Chandoo Lal, who was the prime minister for Nizam Sikander Jah twice.