Highlights

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 'wagh nakh' will be returned to India
  • Maharashtra government will sign an MoU with London museum
  • Shivaji used tiger claw to kill Afzal Khan

Latest news

"This is literally God's plan": Siddharth P Malhotra opens up on bringing Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna together in 'Ikka'

"This is literally God's plan": Siddharth P Malhotra opens up on bringing Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna together in 'Ikka'

AI unlikely to trigger 'Job Apocalypse', it may create uneven workforce disruption: Goldman Sachs Report

AI unlikely to trigger 'Job Apocalypse', it may create uneven workforce disruption: Goldman Sachs Report

"My heart n soul forever!!!": Ameesha Patel remembers her 'angel grandma' on birth anniversary

"My heart n soul forever!!!": Ameesha Patel remembers her 'angel grandma' on birth anniversary

Standard Engineering Technology Acquires Majority Stake in Gscale Energy

Standard Engineering Technology Acquires Majority Stake in Gscale Energy

Is Loan Settlement Legal in India? Everything Borrowers Need to Know

Is Loan Settlement Legal in India? Everything Borrowers Need to Know

Redesign Health Partners With Sky Impact Capital as It Enters India to Back Next-Generation Healthcare AI Companies

Redesign Health Partners With Sky Impact Capital as It Enters India to Back Next-Generation Healthcare AI Companies

Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad, launches 'Proctor Robotic Surgery' program, enabling remote guidance for robotic knee replacements in smaller cities

Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad, launches 'Proctor Robotic Surgery' program, enabling remote guidance for robotic knee replacements in smaller cities

Ila Arun backs Alka Yagnik amid social media speculation over her health, urges fans not to doubt her singing ability

Ila Arun backs Alka Yagnik amid social media speculation over her health, urges fans not to doubt her singing ability

Shivaji's 'tiger claw' set for return to India from London museum

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 'wagh nakh' or the 'tiger claw' is set to return to India in November from a London-based museum.

Shivaji's 'tiger claw' set for return to India from London museum

The Victoria and Albert ( V and A) Museum is all set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government next week, which will see 17th century ‘Tiger Claws’ weapon believed to have belonged to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj make a journey back to India for an exhibition.

During a protracted military engagement in 1659, the legendary Maratha leader held metal claws, or wagh nakh, concealed in his hand and is said to have disembowelled his opponent Afzal Khan – the commander of the opposing Bijapur army.

It is believed, though unverified, that the set of claws then came into the possession of James Grant Duff, an officer of the East India Company who was appointed Resident or political agent of the Satara state in 1818 and gifted to the V and A by a descendant.

“The V and A looks forward to welcoming senior leadership from the Maharashtra government, to sign a memorandum of understanding,” a V and A spokesperson said.

“The story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s triumph over Afzal Khan is legendary, so we are delighted that the ‘Tiger Claws’ will return to India as part of the 350th anniversary events where they can be enjoyed as part of the celebrations. We hope that their display might also enable new research into their history and look forward to working in partnership with colleagues in the months ahead as we develop plans for their display,” the spokesperson said.

The MoU, expected to be signed on Tuesday, coincides with Maharashtra’s 350th anniversary celebrations of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji. It is then expected to be dispatched to India later this year for an agreed period.

According to the V and A, the weapon is accompanied by a fitted case made after Grant Duff returned to Scotland. The inscription on the case reads: “The 'Wagnuck' of Sivajee With Which He Killed the Moghul General. This Relic was given to Mr. James Grant-Duff of Eden When he was Resident at Satara By the Prime Minister of the Peshwa of the Marathas".

According to historical accounts, Shivaji and Afzal Khan had arranged a truce after political upheavals in order to meet in a tented enclosure, virtually alone.

The V and A description of the history of the 'Tiger Claws' explains: “Both came armed: Shivaji wore mail under his clothes and metal skull protection under his turban. He also held a metal ‘Tiger Claws’ weapon concealed in his hand. The two men fought, and Shivaji disembowelled his opponent.

“The last Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Marathas, Baji Rao II, surrendered to the British in June 1818 after defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War and was banished to Bithoor near Kanpur. It is possible he also surrendered this weapon to Grant Duff. It has not been possible to verify whether these tiger claws are the ones used by Shivaji nearly 160 years earlier.”

Also watch: Renowned US museum to return 15 smuggled sculptures to India

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

Shivaji's 'tiger claw' set for return to India from London museum

Shivaji's 'tiger claw' set for return to India from London museum

'Operation Tiger is complete,' roars Shinde as 6 Uddhav MPs join his Sena; calls them Dhurandhar

'Operation Tiger is complete,' roars Shinde as 6 Uddhav MPs join his Sena; calls them Dhurandhar

Kashmiri Pandits should move on, stop being prisoners of past: Mehbooba

Kashmiri Pandits should move on, stop being prisoners of past: Mehbooba

At least 15 dead as fire rips through Lucknow building, students among victims

At least 15 dead as fire rips through Lucknow building, students among victims

SC seeks responses of Centre, States on plea for use of Aadhaar as identity proof only

SC seeks responses of Centre, States on plea for use of Aadhaar as identity proof only

Abhijeet Dipke slapped during Jaipur protest; 'intimidation tactics', alleges CJP founder

Abhijeet Dipke slapped during Jaipur protest; 'intimidation tactics', alleges CJP founder

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

3 vessels with Indian seafarers attacked by US Navy; India says these strikes must stop

3 vessels with Indian seafarers attacked by US Navy; India says these strikes must stop

Three missing Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello confirmed dead: Sonowal

Three missing Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello confirmed dead: Sonowal

Rs 370 biryani remark: NCW summons More, Jangra over Gurugram comedy show

Rs 370 biryani remark: NCW summons More, Jangra over Gurugram comedy show

'Choose between Abhishek and me': Kalyan issues ultimatum to Mamata amid TMC imbroglio

'Choose between Abhishek and me': Kalyan issues ultimatum to Mamata amid TMC imbroglio

NDA leaders felicitate Modi as he becomes longest-serving elected PM

NDA leaders felicitate Modi as he becomes longest-serving elected PM

CJP to launch nationwide protest on Thursday, warns of indefinite sit-in

CJP to launch nationwide protest on Thursday, warns of indefinite sit-in

Rebel Trinamool leader Ritabrata claims dissident camp is ‘real TMC’, rules out merger with Congress

Rebel Trinamool leader Ritabrata claims dissident camp is ‘real TMC’, rules out merger with Congress

Dharmendra Pradhan reviews re-NEET preparations, assures students of error-free exam

Dharmendra Pradhan reviews re-NEET preparations, assures students of error-free exam

PM Modi to undertake visit to France, Slovakia; to attend G7 Summit

PM Modi to undertake visit to France, Slovakia; to attend G7 Summit

Rs 6,800-cr Zojila tunnel project in J-K achieves breakthrough in excavation work

Rs 6,800-cr Zojila tunnel project in J-K achieves breakthrough in excavation work

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.