Shivaji’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ to make its way back home

The ‘wagh nakh,’ a tiger-claw-shaped dagger that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to assassinate Bijapur Sultanate general Afzal Khan in 1659, will be returned by the UK authorities. Later this month, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Sudhir Mungantiwar will travel to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to formally seal the return by signing MoU. If all goes as planned, the legendary ‘wagh nakh’ might return home this year.

“The UK authorities have consented to return Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s wagh nakh to us, according to a letter we received from them. As per the Hindu calendar, we might get it back before the commemoration of the day that Shivaji killed Afzal Khan.” The Times of India quoted Mungantiwar as saying that “some other dates are also being considered, and the modalities of transporting the wagh nakh back are also being worked out.”

According to the officials, the steel ‘wagh nakh’ has two rings for the first and fourth fingers and four claws fixed on a bar.

Additionally to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, attempts will be made to return other artefacts, like Shivaji’s Jagadamba sword, which is now on exhibit in the UK. The return of the tiger claws is a historic moment for Maharashtra and its inhabitants, according to Mungantiwar. Mungantiwar noted that although the exact dates would be determined using the Hindu tithi calendar, the killing of Afzal Khan is typically associated with the November 10 as per the Gregorian calendar.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s wagh nakh are a priceless historical resources that are linked to the feelings of the state’s residents. The transfer must be carried out responsibly and carefully by each individual. Dr. Tejas Garge, Director of the State’s Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, and Mungantiwar, Principal Secretary of Culture (Dr. Vikas Kharge), would visit the V&A and other museums in London for this, according to the government resolution have been made by the Cultural Affairs Department.

The Maharashtra government has allotted roughly Rs 50 lakh for the three-person team’s six-day tour from September 29 to October 4, according to the resolution.