Sir Salar Jung I, the Prime Minister of the Nizam, on a visit to Rome in 1876, bought Benzoni's sculptural masterpieces "The Veiled Rachel". This was the
beginning of what is today one of the finest museums in the world and the third national museum of India. It is Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III, who really built up
the magnificent museum. In 1968 the museum was transferred to a grand new building with 36 halls, on the banks of the river Musi. A vast array of art treasures, finest
crystal and porcelain, an assemblage of rare statues, miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, fabulous bejewelled weapons and collections of jade, ivory and bronze
are some of the glorious- features of the museum. The collection of European paintings includes the original works of Landseer, Watts, Heighton and Cooper. Among the
furniture arc to be seen pieces used by Louis XIV and Louis NV . Marie Antoinette's dressing table too is here.