The Salarjung Museum's huge collection, dating back to the 1st century, was put together by Yusuf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III), the prime minister or grand vizier, of the seventh nizam, Osman Ali Khan.

The 35,000 exhibits from every corner of the world include, sculptures, woodcarvings and religious objects, Persian miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, weaponry, and over 50,000 books.

The Museum has the greatest private collection of objects of art like Persian carpets, Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer-ware, sculptures, jade, Aurangzeb's sword, daggers belonging to Queen Nur Jahan and the Emperors Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Rebecca, the translucent white marble statue by Bezoni, an Italian sculptor, remains a famed exhibit.

 The oriental section has the richest collection of manuscripts including the illuminated Qurans and splendidly calligraphed classics. The Jade Room contains a magnificent collection of encrusted spice boxes, mirror backs, huqqas, archery rings etc.

Carpet section with velvety metal-thread carpets of Kashan, the Tree of Life carpets from Kirman, the multi-medallion and arabesque carpets of North Persia and others from Tabriz, Shiraz, Isfahan and Herat.

The art galleries include, raga-raginis in Deccan style, miniatures in Mewar, Alwar, Jaipur and Mughal styles, modern works from Chugatai, D.P Rai Choudary, Tagore and Sharda Uki western master pieces from Landseer, Watts, Leighton, Cooper, landscapes by Turner and Constable; copies of Grand Master's works like Reubens, Raphael, Boticelli, Titan.

The highlight of the museum is the section of arms exquistely bejewelled hilts of swords and daggers, handles of jade, fish bone, and ivory ornamented with diamonds, emeralds and rubies