Return of Shivaji’s Legendary ‘Tiger Claws’ to India: A Historic Homecoming from the UK

Literary Captain
2 min readSep 8, 2023

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“Celebrating India’s Glorious Heritage: Chhatrapati Shivaji’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ Dagger, the Weapon That Defeated Afzal Khan, Returns Home from London”

Victoria and Albert Museum © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The ‘Wagh Nakh’ a distinctive dagger designed to resemble tiger claws, holds a significant place in Indian history. This iconic weapon was wielded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the legendary encounter with Bijapur Sultanate’s general Afzal Khan in 1659.

Now, after centuries, it is set to return to its homeland from the United Kingdom, where it has been housed in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afzal_Khan_(general)

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ or tiger claws hold immense historical and emotional value for the people of Maharashtra. These unique symbols of bravery are not just old items; they mean a lot to us.

The return of the ‘Wagh Nakh’ is a special moment for Maharashtra and for everyone who loves history. It’s a way to remember our past and protect our special treasures for the future.

As these tiger claws come back to India, they bring our history with them. This is a way to show how much we care about our culture and heritage, and how we want to keep Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy alive for generations to come.

“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” — Mahatma Gandhi

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