HYDERABAD: A rare collection of arms and ammunitions used during the erstwhile Nizam period will be on display at a new museum that is coming up in Andhra Pradesh Police Academy premises.

Aptly titled as Hankin museum, after the first Director-General of Police for the Nizam State, the museum will house some of the rare collections of swords, spears, guns, cannons and other war paraphernalia used by the army of Nizam.

The designing and conservation work of the new museum are already under progress and conservators point out that in another one month they will be able to complete the Hankin museum project in APPA.

"The museum will provide an opportunity to maintain the war relics of yesteryears that were till now left without any care. They will now get a new lease of life," in-charge of the Hankin museum project and conservator for Salarjung Museum Ahmad Ali said.

Oldest sword

The prized collection of Nizam's swords including the oldest sword in the armoury `Shamsheer' will easily be the highlight of the museum. Persian made Shamsheer dates back to 16th Century and is arguably the oldest sword in the personal collection of the Nizam.

Another interesting variety of sword is Abbasi sword. It is a variation of the long sword with extra strips of perforated metals on one side for increasing the intensity of the blow.

"Bows and arrows made up of cane, bamboo, metals decorated by ivory, gold and silver are also present in large numbers in the collection. Most of the collection will date back to 16th and 17th Century," said Mr. Ali.

Guns, cannons, arrows, battle vests, spears, javelins, daggers of all varieties, sizes and shapes will be a part of the collection in the upcoming Hankin museum.

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