Monday, February 10, 2025

Maharashtra Roars As Wagh Nakh Returns Home

Must Read

Maharashtra is celebrating the return of the legendary Wagh Nakh of the great Maratha Warrior King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The iconic artifact was on display at a London museum for many years. The efforts of the BJP at the center and Mahayuti in the state helped in signing an MoU to ensure a temporary return of this important part of Bharat’s history.

The Wagh Nakh comes home to commemorate Shivaji Maharaj’s 350 years of ascension to the throne.

However, this is not a permanent homecoming. Its return is actually on a loan for three years by the British Museum. And the British have made several demands on the Indian government regarding its display. Let’s explore Wagh Nakh’s history, its fight for authenticity, and its importance to the people of Bharat.

- Advertisement -

The Claws of Courage: The Legend of Wagh Nakh

Wagh Nakh: లండన్ నుంచి ముంబై చేరుకున్న ఛత్రపతి శివాజీ ఆయుధం ''వాఘ్ నఖ్'' - NTV Telugu
PC NTV Telugu

The Wagh Nakh to Maharashtra and Bharat is more than just a weapon. It is a symbol of Maratha’s valor and ingenuity. And it is a reminder that Hindus fought tooth and nail for centuries against Islamic rule. In 1659, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used a tiger-claw-shaped weapon named Wagh Nakh to slay Afzal Khan at the Pratapgarh Fort. Thereby, becoming the pivotal weapon that turned the tide and helped establish the Maratha Empire. 

Afzal Khan was a formidable general of the Bijapur Sultanate. During the war with Maratha forces, he intended to kill Shivaji Maharaj by deceit during a “peace” meeting. However, Shivaji Raje knew that Islamic generals always speak of “peace” but perpetuate vishwasghat! Thus, Shivaji Maharaj had a unique weapon designed to attend this “peaceful” meeting. The Wagh Nakh mimics a tiger’s deadly claws that can be hidden in the palm of the hand leaving only be-ringed fingers on display from the outside. Shivaji Maharaj wore the Wagh Nakh and used it to kill Afzal Khan when he dared to attempt a “peaceful” attack on the Maratha King.

- Advertisement -

Thus, Wagh Nakh represents strategic brilliance and the unyielding spirit of Maratha pride. This legendary encounter of Shivaji Maharaj is an inseparable part of his legacy. And the weapon itself symbolizes Maratha empire’s resilience and tactical superiority to “peacefuls”.

Is Wagh Nakh Still In Custody Of the UK?! 

Shivaji 'tiger claw' coming to India for 3 yrs. But is it the one he used to kill Afzal Khan?
PC The Print

Over centuries, the Wagh Nakh’s journey mirrors India’s own struggles with colonial rule. The weapon is not returned to Bharat, but is on loan for three years. The relic will be put on display in Satara to commemorate the 350 years of Shivaji Maharaj’s ascension to the throne. However, it will have to eventually be sent back to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where it’s displayed as a relic of India’s rich heritage.

- Advertisement -

The British Museum demands that the Indian government display a pertinent information point next to the ‘tiger claw’ while on display in Bharat. They insist that authenticity of the relic cannot be ascertained due to a lack of evidence. Therefore, Bharat must display that no sources claim that the displayed Wagh Nakh is the original one used by the Legendary Shivaji Maharaj! 

However, the Mahayuti Sarkar are turning a deaf ear to the complaint or this clause. Maharashtra knows that the spirit of Shivaji Maharaj lives on in their hearts and the local culture. The Warrior King continues to inspire countless youth to fight for Hindavi Swaraj in ‘sickular’ Bharat! Thus, it does not matter whether the Museum in Satara displays the British version of the truth or the Indian narrative.

Wagh Nakh will be there before the eyes of people in Bharat to remind them of the brains behind the brawn of Maratha pride!

A Cloud Lingers On Maharashtra’s Moment Of Pride

The arrival of Wagh Nakh in Mumbai means nothing short of a grand celebration. From Mumbai, it traveled to Satara, where it will be displayed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Sangrahalay. State Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and State Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai, also the guardian minister of Satara, ensured that the weapon’s return was marked with the grandeur and respect they deserved. For the next seven months, Satara will host the Wagh Nakh, offering citizens a chance to connect with a piece of their heroic past.

However, this momentous homecoming has a cloud hovering over it! Historian Indrajit Sawant and others assert that the weapon going on display is a duplicate!! They state that the original weapon used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is in possession of his descendants in Satara. They also claim the existence of evidence that establishes the presence of the original Wagh Nakh in India till 1943. Thus, as per this section of historians, the Maharashtra government is making false claims regarding the artifact!

Chhatrapati Shivaji's Wagh Nakh Arrives In Mumbai From London Museum
PC NDTV

However, the Maharashtra government has firmly rejected these claims. Minister Mungantiwar addressed the controversy, explaining that the Victoria and Albert Museum in London provided a photograph of a specially designed box created in 1825 that is used to house the weapon. This 18th-century box inscription claims that these Wagh Nakh were the ones used by Shivaji Maharaj! However, the British and a section of the Indian historical community need more than just an inscription of unknown sources to prove authenticity. But, for the Mahayuti government the inscription is enough to negate claims of a duplicate relic being put on display. 

Bharat’s Resilient Renaissance

The return of the Wagh Nakh is more than a historical event. It is a powerful symbol of India’s commitment to connecting the youth to its heritage. This successful MoU signed by the state government highlights the unwavering determination to ensure that Indians can own their history. Even if the return is not absolute and unconditional, the intent behind the MoU is clear.

As the Wagh Nakh takes their place in Satara, they become a beacon of the indomitable spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Every relic brought home, even for a short while, propels India further in its journey of cultural renaissance. The controversial claims regarding Wagh Nakh stand dismiised against the sounds of dying colonial slave mentality! The return of these relics, via MoU, is a vivid reminder that Bharat’s resilient past can pave a path for an inspiring future. With each step, Bharat moves closer to a proud and resilient revival, celebrating its heroes and their timeless valor. Jai Bhawani!

- Advertisement -

More articles

- Advertisement -

Latest Article