Amidst many symbols of greatness associated with the Nizams of Hyderabad, it is the wardrobe of Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam, that stands tall on the pedestal of magnificence and size.
Situated in the historic Purani Haveli, this wardrobe is the largest in the world and stands as a testimony to the extravagant richness of one of India's wealthiest royal families. One would assume that the largest wardrobe in the world would belong to a woman But that's not the case here. This gigantic wardrobe is much more than a simple storage room; rather, it shows the refined tastes and unmatched wealth of the Asaf Jahi dynasty when it was at its peak.
Constructed in the late 19th century, this is a bespoke wardrobe made to store an enormous collection of clothes and accessories owned by Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan. This is an imposing 176 feet structure covering one entire wing of the palace, and it is a two-story structure constructed with fine teak and rosewood. The design ensured that the Nizam and his attendants would be able to access all of the wardrobe's corners easily because the space was connected by an elegant spiral staircase. It also had a hand-operated lift to reach its various ends. Imagine, 124 almirahs full of clothes.
Each section within this storage marvel would be perfectly crafted to preserve and exhibit the various constituents of the Nizam's wardrobe, from ceremonial robes to casual items.
The Nizam's wardrobe resembled the building structure as much as it was an extraordinary creation. A rich feast of traditional Indian regality married to European sophistication, it included garments made from luxurious materials like silks, velvets, and brocades. A great majority were also adorned with subtle embroidery, comprising gold and silver thread work, pearls, and semi-precious stones. His collection of turbans was especially notable, every piece an epitome of Nizam's status. The headpieces, often decorated with gemstones such as emeralds and diamonds, came to stand for both his authority and the cultural heritage of Hyderabad.
Very interestingly, Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan was also a harbinger of cross-cultural fashions in India. His wardrobe contained the finest suit and overcoat pieces, well-made leather boots, all obtained from Europe and perfectly fused with indigenous clothes worn by the Nizam. Silver cufflinks, a pocket watch, and some specially procured ties add to his Western outfits, reserving the cosmopolitan persona behind them. Every garment and accessory has been made to order, reflecting the Nizam's infallible eye for quality.
Today, the largest wardrobe in the world and all its belongings are kept inside Purani Haveli, which is converted into a museum for the legacy of Nizams of Hyderabad. Nizam's Museum gives visitors a rare chance to see the extraordinary lifestyle of Hyderabad's rulers. The wardrobe remains in the center of the museum, attracting historians, art lovers, and tourists from all across the globe. Beyond its immense size, the wardrobe is admired for its exquisite craftsmanship and the story it tells about the Nizam’s love for luxury and organization.
The legacy of the wardrobe also reflects more than its physical scale. It stands more as a cultural artifact, encompassing artistic brilliance, vision, and affluence found in the Hyderabad court. More than a century since it was created, the wardrobe of Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan is still a cause for awe and wonder at a time when rulers like the Nizam defined their own eras with unparalleled grandeur and sophistication.
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