India

Shivaji’s ‘Wagh-Nakh’ Brought Back From London, Historian Doubts Veracity

The Maratha warrior Shivaji’s “wagh-nakh,” or tiger claws, are back from London. Authorities will put the claws on display in Satara, Maharashtra, starting this Friday.

These tiger claws are historically noteworthy since history says that Shivaji used them in his fabled 1659 fight. When he was in fight with General Afzal Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate.

Renowned historian Indrajit Sawant has sparked a new debate ahead of the eagerly anticipated public ceremony, casting doubt on the veracity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s “wagh nakh.”

Known for his in-depth studies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Indrajit has asserted that the tiger claws are fake and that the Maharashtra government’s “stunts” amount to “befooling” the public.

He asserted that the Satara area of Maharashtra already houses the real tiger claws.

Also Read: K’taka Landslide: Three Dead, 15 Suspected To Be Under Rubble

Sawant is not the only one who has doubts. Aditya Thackeray, a former minister for the Shiv Sena (UBT), had expressed similar skepticism on the legitimacy of the claws earlier.

Anand Dubey, a spokesperson for the Shiv Sena (UBT), has also expressed skepticism and demanded an inquiry.

“The claws brought, claiming to be original, are not convincing to us. Now, even historian Indrajit Sawant is questioning their credibility. The BJP needs to carefully consider what is correct and what is not,” he emphasised.

Responding to charges, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar stated, “No one has claimed that the ‘wagh nakh’ or the tiger claws being brought from London were used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”

Additionally, he denied allegations of extravagant costs, emphasizing that agreement procedures and travel costed only Rs 14.08 lakh.

A three-year loan of the tiger claws to Maharashtra is part of an arrangement with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Shibra Arshad

Recent Posts

JP Nadda Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Match-Fixing’ Claims As ‘Desperation Of Losing’ Polls

Rahul Gandhi's opinion piece appeared in a national daily and sparked political uproar. Opposition parties…

10 hours ago

Poverty In India Reduced Via Tangible Boost In Household Living Standards, Incomes

In 2022–23, poverty under the revised $3.00 line stood at just 5.25 per cent in…

10 hours ago

Chhattisgarh: Seven Maoists Killed In Indravati National Park Operation

Five Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district,…

11 hours ago

Carney Invites Modi To G7 Summit, Highlights India’s Global Supply Chain Role

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the most populous country, with the fifth-largest economy, must…

11 hours ago

RBI Frontloads Rate Cuts To Boost Growth Amid Low Inflation: Crisil

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has frontloaded its rate cuts to support economic growth,…

12 hours ago

PM Modi Urges Global Action On Coastal Resilience At Nice Summit

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday called for urgent global action to build infrastructure that can…

12 hours ago