A Museum Adventure Beyond the Ordinary

One way to learn more about each other’s cultures is by visiting a museum. While this might sound simple, it’s often more complex than it seems. The act of visiting isn’t the issue; however, as a Westerner, you might need to pay a slightly higher entrance fee than local residents—but that’s usually manageable. And ... if you have a warm relationship with your driver, he arranges things that are impossible for you, Thanks Chauffeur Anand !!

If you’re in Delhi, you can visit the Red Fort; in Mumbai, the Gateway of India, among other landmarks; or, of course, the Taj Mahal in Agra. But if you find yourself in Hyderabad, and you’ve already seen the Golconda Fort (and survived the mosquitoes), I’d suggest exploring a less famous tourist destination.

Most museums, unfortunately, tend to display universal themes that are immediately recognizable anywhere in the world: an array of weapons designed to maim or kill in brutal ways. While the shapes of these weapons vary by region, the violence and bloodshed they represent remain disturbingly similar. And yet, they’re all neatly arranged in well-lit, friendly-looking display cases.

Near the Charminar, you’ll find Chowmahalla Palace. As a Dutch visitor, while browsing the family’s antique porcelain or crockery, you might suddenly come across beautiful pieces of porcelain from Maastricht (south of The Netherlands), produced by Société Céramique, which later became part of the well-known Dutch company Sphinx.

A more challenging yet fascinating experience awaits in places like the Salar Jung Museum, particularly with its paintings. Imagine walking through the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands, admiring Rembrandt’s works. Most of these depict biblical stories that, as a Westerner, you’re expected to understand—for instance, The Return of the Prodigal Son. Now, picture yourself in a museum in Hyderabad, where the cultural context feels entirely foreign. You might marvel at exquisite paintings of figures riding elephants, but you’ll likely have no idea of the stories or cultural significance behind them.

While museums are an excellent way to spend a weekend in a city, I strongly recommend bringing along a colleague or a guide. And instead of trying to view every single painting, focus on a small selection, with detailed explanations of the context and history.