Hyderabad's Offbeat Museums Offer a Refreshing Perspective on the City's Rich Heritage

In a city like Hyderabad where every nook and corner is steeped in history, museums are a common sight. While landmarks like the Salar Jung Museum

Hyderabad, a city brimming with historical charm, is renowned for its captivating museums. While iconic landmarks like the Salar Jung Museum, Nizam Museum, and Chowmahalla Palace enthrall visitors with their magnificent collections, there exists a lesser-known facet of Hyderabad's museum scene that unveils something refreshingly distinct. These offbeat and intriguing museums showcase unique aspects of art, history, and culture, inviting visitors to explore the city's rich heritage from unconventional perspectives.

Siasat.com presents a curated tour of some such offbeat exhibits, each promising a distinctive experience far removed from the typical tourist trail.

1. Sudha Car Museum

When discussing museums, one cannot overlook the quirky Sudha Car Museum in Bahadurpura. Founded by K. Sudhakar, an eccentric car designer, this museum houses a collection of custom-made cars and bikes that are designed to resemble everyday objects, such as handbags, cameras, and even a burger! Each vehicle on display is a functioning piece of art, handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. Its wacky, imaginative creations are sure to delight anyone with a taste for the bizarre.

What Siasat.com Recommends: Be sure to check out the Guinness World Record-holding largest tricycle on display.

2. Health Museum

Housed within the Ajanta Pavilion at the Public Garden, the Health Museum provides valuable insights into various health topics. It is divided into two sections: one focuses on nutrition, anatomy, and the history of diseases like tuberculosis, leprosy, and malaria, while the other highlights childbirth and motherhood. Featuring detailed displays that include organs like the brain and a human fetus, it offers a compelling yet intense experience that may not be suitable for the faint-hearted.

What Siasat.com Recommends: Visit on a Wednesday or Saturday for health-related film screenings.

3. Saifabad Mint Museum

Inaugurated in 2022, the Saifabad Mint Museum is situated within the Royal Mint of the Nizams in Lakdikapul. The museum showcases a diverse collection of currency notes, coin sets, and old handheld tools used in coin production. Visitors can also explore materials like counterweights, offering a detailed look at the craftsmanship behind minting during the Nizam, Mughal, and British eras.

What Siasat.com Recommends: Check out the replica of the world’s largest gold coin weighing 11 kg which was minted in India.

4. Railway Museum

At Kacheguda lies the Railway Museum, a fascinating tribute to the origin and growth of India's railways, particularly under the Nizam's rule. Opened in 2015 by the South-Central Railway, it showcases photographs, vintage rail equipment, and memorabilia that trace the development of Hyderabad's rail network. Visitors can also explore colonial-era signaling devices, locomotive prototypes, tickets, and working models.

What Siasat.com Recommends: A standout exhibit is the ‘Sir Alec’ Steam Locomotive, built in 1907 by Kitson & Co, Leeds, which serves as a nostalgic reminder of the steam era.

5. Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum

The Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum in Hyderabad, located near Bapu Ghat, holds the distinction of being India's first permanent interactive museum dedicated to Gandhi's values of peace, truth, and ahimsa. It offers four key programs, including the ‘I Am Gandhi’ interactive experience for students and ‘Invoking Gandhi,’ which highlights how Gandhi's legacy influences global leaders and brands. Additionally, it offers a 12-day South Africa tour, which includes visits to historic sites, and interactive workshops centered around Gandhi's time in South Africa.

What Siasat.com Recommends: Check out the unique mobile store with over 100 Gandhi-themed souvenirs like apparel, books, and accessories.

6. Nehru Centenary Tribal Museum

Situated in Masab Tank, the Nehru Centenary Tribal Museum (NCTM) is dedicated to showcasing the social and cultural life of tribal communities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It takes visitors on a journey through the fascinating lives of tribal communities like the Yerukulas, Gonds, Koyas, Savaras and Lambadas.

What Siasat.com Recommends: Don’t miss the mini auditorium that screens films on tribal culture and the library with over 14,500 books on tribal communities from India and around the world.