where history comes alive

The Centenary Heritage Museum, located in Gunfoundry, Hyderabad, is a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and art lovers. The museum stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Its diverse collection showcases artefacts from various periods, including terracotta, stucco, and iron objects, offering a glimpse into the prehistoric and early historic eras

Also features intricately carved temple sculptures and door-jambs, providing a fascinating insight into the region’s architectural and artistic traditions

In 1914, the Department of Archaeology was established by H.E.H. Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan, the VIIth Nizam, and it is currently known as ‘The Department of Heritage Telangana.’

The appointment of Prof. Ghulam Yazdani as the first Director of the department was made on the recommendation of the Director General of Archaeology of India

Upon arriving in Hyderabad on April 26, 1914, Yazdani swiftly organised his office and provided the government with a clear understanding of his duties

Srisailam Pavilion

Located within the premises of the Directorate office, Srisailam Pavilion was set to exhibit ancient artefacts and artworks recovered from the submerged regions of Yeleswaram and Srisailam reservoirs in the Krishna valley Additionally, it served as a repository for various collections unearthed within the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State

The ground floor of the building showcases a diverse range of objects and antiquities. These include terracotta figurines from various locations such as Kondapur (Sangareddy), Peddabankur and Dhulikatta (Pedapalli), Pochampad (Nizamabad), Serupalli and Gollathagudi (Mahbubnagar), Yeleswaram (Nalgonda)

The Early Historic Gallery

Home to an impressive collection of invaluable antiquities that have been recovered from various excavations. One of the notable highlights of the gallery is the display of beads from the Kondapur excavations in Medak district, which were extensively studied by K N Dikshit

The artifacts were excavated from significant sites such as Kotilingala (Jagtial), Pedabankur (Peddapalli), Dupatta (Karimnagar), and Neelakondapalli (Khammam).

The Gallery offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region

Dvara sakha

Within the museum, one can find Dvara sakha, (black basalt stone) excavated from Pragatur, Mahbubnagar district of the 9th-10th Century AD, the Chalukya period in open courtyard.

The door jamb of Sri Varada Raja Swamy temple consists of eight pieces in two frames. The outer frame has two verticals depicted with standing goddess ganga figure, yakshini figure and floral designs, and a horizontal depicted with rama pattabhi shekam ceremony attended by Vanaras and sages.

The inner frame consists of one still with floral designs, two verticals with Vaishnavate dwarapalas and yaksha figures, two horizontals, one horizontal is with gajalakshmi motif and over which is another shows with Bharavaka yakasha figures.

Makara torana

Excavated from Dichpalli, Nizamabad district from the 9th -10th Century AD, the Chalukya period consists of three parts. Two vertical pillars depicted Vaishnavate, dwarapalas (unfinished) over which are inverted lotus kumuda and square phalakas (broken). An arch shaped torana rested over the phalakas shows two seated mythical makaras with a floral garland emerging art of their mouths on either side merged at the centre with Kirthimukha (vyala) with wide open mouth issuing floral designs from its mouth.

The State Museum, Hyderabad

The State Museum located in Public Gardens, Hyderabad, is known for being one of the most significant repositories of antiquities and art objects in India

The museum showcases Indo-Islamic architecture with its distinctive features such as subtle domes, high arches, stylistic windows, and projected eaves.

Egyptian mummy

One of the main highlights of the museum is its Egyptian mummy, which is approximately 2,353 years old. According to reports, the mummy was brought to Hyderabad by the son-in-law of VI Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan, who then donated it to the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The Nizam reportedly acquired the mummy for a sum of 1000 pounds.

The museum also boasts a significant gallery dedicated to Buddha, showcasing a wide variety of archaeological artifacts from the Nizam era and the Kakatiya dynasty. These artifacts provide valuable insights into the history and cultural significance of the region.

Coins of the Satavahana period: The museum has a collection of coins dating back to the Satavahana dynasty, providing a glimpse into the region’s ancie