Egyptian Mummy Fails to Attract Visitors to Museum
A couple of years ago, around 500 people used to visit this place every day
Hyderabad: Telangana State Archaeology Museum, which is the only museum in the state that preserves an Egyptian mummy, is losing its attraction for people and has been reporting a constant decline in the footfall.
The museum, which is located in the premises of Public Gardens at Nampally, used to be jam-packed once upon a time. A couple of years ago, around 500 people used to visit this place every day. However, the number of visitors has declined to 30 per day.
According to the museum records, the mummy in Hyderabad is one of six Egyptian mummies that are present in India. It is believed to be at least 2,100 to 2,400 years old. It is thought to be the remains of a young Egyptian noblewoman aged between 16 to 18 when she died.
In 2016, when the mummy was sent to Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) for getting an exterior layer of wrapping added to the mummy to avoid further decaying, the word spread among history enthusiasts that Princess Naishu’s mummy was no longer displayed in the museum. The Covid-induced lockdown further dented the footfall.
“Hope the number increases at least ahead of International Museum Day on May 18,” said an official from the museum.
Several people, including the ones who frequently visit the Public Gardens, are not aware about the presence of the mummy in the museum.
The mummy was bought by Nazeer Nawaz Jung, the son-in-law of Sixth Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan in the 1920s at a throw away price of £1,000. He brought it to Hyderabad and gifted it to seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, who in turn donated it to the museum when it was opened in 1930.
While challenges related to restoration have arisen over the years, the museum officials preserved the mummy by shifting it from an airtight glass container to a nitrogen chamber. They also added a mesh as a protective wrap to prevent it from further decaying.
“Tourists travel to foreign countries to witness Egyptian culture and heritage. However, they forget that a 2,000-year-old piece of Egypt lies in their city. It is not just the physical neglect, but the emotional disconnect,” said a person who takes care of the museum.
- Dharani Syamala Pydi
