Shivaji Maharaj’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ to return home from UK

Wagh Nakh returning where it belongs. Recently the United Kingdom agreed to return the ‘Wagh Nakh’, one of the weapons of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which he used to kill Bijapur Sultanate’s general Afzal Khan in 1659. The report says State Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will visit London later this month to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Victoria and Albert Museum.

If all goes according to plan, India might even receive the tiger claw this year.

According to a report, Mungantiwar said, “We have got a letter from the UK authorities saying they have agreed to give us back Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Wagh Nakh. We might get it back for the anniversary of the day when Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, based on the Hindu calendar. Some other dates are also being considered and the modalities of transporting the Wagh Nakh back are also being worked out.”

“The fact that the tiger claws are on the way back is a big step for Maharashtra and its people. The date of Afzal Khan’s killing is November 10 based on the Gregorian calendar but we are working out dates on the Hindu tithi calendar,” he added.

Wagh Nakh must be transferred with the care

TOI reported, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s wagh nakh is a priceless treasure of history and the sentiments of the people of the state are associated with them. The transfer must be done with personal responsibility and care. For this, Mungantiwar, principal secretary of culture (Dr Vikas Kharge) and Dr Tejas Garge, director of the state’s directorate of archaeology and museums, will visit V&A and other museums in London,” the government resolution issued by the cultural affairs department stated.

According to the officials, the steel wagh nakh has two rings for the first and fourth fingers and four claws fixed on a bar. As per the information provided by the Cultural Affairs Department, the Maharashtra government will spend around Rs 50 lakh for the six-day visit for the three-member team from September 29 to October 4.

According to the report, Mungantiwar also mentioned, “Apart from signing the MoU, we will also look at other objects such as Shivaji’s Jagadamba sword which is also on display in the UK, and take steps to bring these back as well.”

During his tour to India in 1875–1876, Albert Edward, then the Prince of Wales and eventually King Edward VII, received the sword “Jagdamba,” adorned with diamonds and rubies, from Shivaji IV, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

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