A paperweight worth 400 crores -- and much more

By Bindu Jacob

NEW DELHI, AUG. 23. They changed hands from the wealthiest native Indian prince before enduring five decades of obscurity. Their sensational discovery in 1972 led to 23 long years of legal battle before the Indian Government acquired the 173 pieces of exquisite jewellery including 37 priceless gems and antiques from the custody of ``H.E.H Nizam Jewellery Trust'' and ``H.E.H Nizam Supplemental Jewellery Trust'' formed by the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, in 1951-52 to safeguard the family's ancestral wealth.

The trust had kept this treasure of great historical value in the vaults of Hong Kong Bank. The Indian Government had happened to stumble upon the treasure which it was on the verge of losing, perhaps forever. The Government had intervened in the nick of time, rescuing a ``tradition'' that otherwise would have vanished like a mirage.

Part of India's exotic past, the legendary Nizam's collection is now going to be thrown open to the public by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, at the National Museum here on August 29. The unique six-week-long exhibition -- ending on October 15 -- will showcase the ``superb and rare'' collection of jewels ranging from the 18th to the early 20th Century. Part of the largest and most expensive collection of jewels purchased by the Indian Government in 1995 at a cost of Rs. 218 crores, it was brought to Delhi on June 30 amid heavy security by a special Indian Air Force flight and kept in the vaults of the Reserve Bank of India.

Rated by various international auctioneers as among the finest jewellery collections in the world, the treasure -- which forms the last enduring symbol of the glory of a bygone era -- will be on show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Mondays for an entry fee of Rs. 50. Visitors would be allowed inside the National Museum in groups of 50 to facilitate easy monitoring. The exhibition would be taken to Hyderabad in November to be displayed at the Salarjung Museum.

Mounted at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crores, the exhibition's most outstanding showpiece is the Jacob Diamond weighing 184.75 carats -- double the size of Kohinoor Diamond -- known for its cut, clarity and colour. Valued at Rs.400 crores, it was once upon a time used by the Nizam as a paperweight! Another unique display is a seven-stringed pearl necklace. And among the many exquisite rings is the famous Alexandrite stone ring from the Russian mines known for its unusual size and ability to change colour when viewed under different lights. The collection also includes beautifully designed pocket watches, watch chains studded with diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones.

The collection, which remained shrouded in mystery for over two centuries -- hidden away in treasuries, guarded by eunuchs and soldiers, and sometimes inaccessible even to the rulers -- also includes diamonds from the mines of Golconda, Colombian emeralds, Burmese rubies and pearls from Basra and Gulf of Mannar. Truly a royal spread for all!

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