As Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ Claws Its Way Back to Satara, Maharashtra Govt to Hold Grand Event on Friday – News18

A grand celebration has been planned for July 19 in Maharashtra’s historic city of Satara to showcase the wagh nakh (tiger claw-shaped weapon) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, brought back from the United Kingdom’s Victoria and Albert Museum. According to the contract signed between the Maharashtra government and the museum, the object will remain in India for three years.

The state government has elaborate plans to celebrate this occasion, with the weapon used by the great Maratha ruler to defeat and disembowel Bijapur sultanate’s general Afzal Khan in 1659 to be displayed at the Satara City Museum for public viewing for the first time.

Big celebration

The event will be attended by Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and both deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. Members of the Royal Family of Satara, BJP Rajya Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale and former party MLA Shivendra Raje Bhosale, will also be present for this event.

The state government has also planned to release a postal stamp in honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the function.

The victory at the Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659 was a turning point in Chhatrapati Shivaji’s campaign to establish the Maratha Empire. Despite being outnumbered, the Marathas defeated the Adilshahi forces led by Afzal Khan, boosting Chhatrapati Shivaji’s reputation as a brilliant military strategist.

Shivaji killed Afzal Khan at the foot of Pratapgarh fort in present-day Satara district in Maharashtra. This episode has since become a part of folklore, symbolising the Maratha ruler’s bravery and shrewdness in defeating a much larger and more powerful enemy.

Historian raises doubts

However, Kolhapur-based historian Indrajit Sawant claims that the weapon brought to Satara is a replica and not the original one Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to kill Afzal Khan. Sawant asserts there are various proofs available in the public domain indicating that the original object is still in Satara.

Speaking with News18, Sawant said, “There are many accounts of historians clearly stating that the wagh nakh held by the Victoria and Albert Museum is a replica. These historians have seen the original one in Satara along with the Bhavani Talwar (sword) of Shivaji Maharaj.” He further referenced historians who visited the Satara king and saw the original, documenting it extensively in their books.

Minister counters

When News18 contacted senior Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar regarding this controversy, he insisted that the wagh nakh was the original.

“The royal family has not raised any objections, as it also believes the wagh nakh brought to the state is of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Yes, one historian has raised some doubts, but I request people not to spread any rumours as these claws are original,” he said. “We will display the wagh nakh in Satara on the 19th, followed by exhibitions in other cities like Kolhapur, Nagpur, and Mumbai. Along with them, we will showcase weapons used during Shivaji Maharaj’s era so the new generation can learn about the Maratha war tools.”