Wagh Nakh to Return to Land of Shivaji

Maharashtra, land of the Chhatrapati Shivaji, was missing it for the last two centuries. But Wagh Nakh, a famous weapon belonged to Shivaji Maharaj is to come to Maharashtra very soon. Maharashtra government has proposed to Victoria and Albert Museum, London in this regard. The museum has asked security to be provided and once it is cleared, the weapon will come in Mumbai first.

Wagh Nakh or Tiger Claws is one of the irregualr weapons used by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It is famous in the popular folklore of Maharashtra because of its use in killing Afzal Khan by Shivaji himself. After the fall of Maratha Empire, it was taken outside India by British officers and landed in Victoria and Albert Museum.

This weapon is being brought to Maharashtra for an exhibit and government has forwarded the proposal to the museum. Museum also has approved the idea but its decision hinges on the security aspect. Also the file for the security arrangements is doing round in Mantralaya, Mumbai.

Meera Hindocha of Press Office, V&A Museum informed Pune Mirror through a mailed reply, "I can confirm that we have received a loan request for the tiger claw weapon that may have belonged to Chhatrapati Shivaji. However, we have not yet agreed to lend the object and our decision will be dependent upon the confirmation of a suitable venue for the exhibition and the necessary security arrangements being cleared."

Asked about the developments, R. R. Patil, deputy chief minister and Home minister of Maharashtra told Mirror, "Yes, we have given the proposal. But they (the museum)want security to be arranged by us. The file has come to me some days ago and a decision in this regard will be taken soon."

Historians Speak Babasaheb Purandare, who is known for his dedication for history of Maratha Empire could not be contacted as he is is in US now. But he has described the travel of Wagh Nakh to Britain in his previous writings. According to him, Grand Duff, who was political representative of East India Company in the court of Satara might have taken this weapon to Britain. He served in the court from 1818 to 1824. He also wrote the first book on Maratha on history. He befriended the then Maharaja of Satara Chhatrapati Pratapsinh and took the weapon with him while returning. His descendants donated it to the V&A museum.

Ninad Bedekar, another historian of repute from Pune, differed on the authenticity of the weapon. "Shivbhushan, the book in Sanskrit written in the lifetime of Shivaji and by his order, says that Shivaji killed Afzalkhan with sword. This is an authentic reference. As for as the claim that weapon belonged to Shivaji, it is also shrouded in mystery. We do not find any reference suggesting that Shivaji used this weapon."

Asked as to what his reaction would be once the weapon comes here, Bedekar said, "I will still tell the facts as they are."