‘Wagh Nakh’, a dagger designed like tiger claws, which was used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill Bijapur Sultanate’s general Afzal Khan in 1659, will soon be brought to India from the UK. The iconic weapon is currently in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
The iconic weapon, which was in the possession of Shivaji Maharaja’s descendants in the Satara court, was given to an East India Company officer, James Grant Duff. After his service in India, Duff took the ‘Wagh Nakh’ to Britain. Duff’s descendants then donated Shivaji’s iconic weapon to the museum.
Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is behind the initiative to get back Shivaji’s iconic ‘Wagh Nakh’ to India. He will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Victoria and Albert Museum.
PRICELESS TREASURE, SAYS MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT
The delegation of the Cultural Affairs Minister, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture and Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums will visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, and other museums in London from September 29 to October 4, 2023.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has allocated Rs 50 lakh for the delegation’s six-day visit.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ or tiger claws are a priceless treasure of history and the feelings of the people of the state are associated with them, a statement by the Maharashtra government said. These tiger claws are scheduled to be brought back to India from Britain.
The transfer of tiger claws needs personal responsibility and care, it said. Therefore, Rs 50 lakh was sanctioned for the visit of this delegation. The chief minister has approved the said proposal, it added.