NB Explains | Bharat's pride, Chh. Shivaji Maharaj's 'Wagh Nakh', to head back to their homeland from UK

In a historic achievement for Modi government and every Indian, the priceless treasure of Indian history, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's ‘Wagh Nakh’, which is presently on display in the UK's Victoria and Albert Museum, has been agreed to be returned back to its home country. After ages, the UK authorities have agreed and confirmed to return it back to India.

 

 

 

 

The development is happening as Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is scheduled to visit London later this month to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Victoria and Albert Museum. As quoted by Free Press Journal, Mungantiwar said “We have got a letter from the UK authorities saying they have agreed to give us back Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Wagh Nakh. We might get it back for the anniversary of the day when Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, based on the Hindu calendar. Some other dates are also being considered and the modalities of transporting the Wagh Nakh back are also being worked."

 

 

 

 

The Minister further added, “The fact that the tiger claws are on the way back is a big step for Maharashtra and its people. The date of Afzal Khan’s killing is Nov 10 based on the Gregorian calendar but we are working out dates based on the Hindu Tithi calendar."

The incident where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used 'Wagh Nakh' for his safety in a fight with Adilshahi sardar, Afzal Khan, is a popular one, particularly because of the dramatic turn of events. I purposely present here thus, the British narration of the incident. According to record;

"The queen mother of Bijapur, Bari Begum, was now getting worried about the growing power of Shivaji. She had requested that Shahaji rein in his son, but the latter had expressed his helplessness in the matter, stating that Shivaji was beyond his control and was his own man.

Then Afzal Khan (Abdullah Bhatari of Afzalpura village near Bijapur) took up the challenge of bringing Shivaji down to his knees. Afzal Khan was an old rival of Shahaji's in the Bijapur court (Shahaji belonged to the rival camp of Ranadaulla Khan aka Rustam e Zaman). He had also served as the governor of Wai and was well aware of the terrain. He was also said to be responsible for the death of Shahaji's elder brother, Shambhuraje, allegedly by treachery."

 

 

It is further mentioned that, "Shivaji was well aware of his limitations and a pitched battle would have been suicidal. There was no way he could match the Khan's might man to man. So Shivaji cunningly professed his inability to fight the Khan. He sent peace overtures to the other side from his base at Pratapgad. He managed to give the impression that he was willing to negotiate on the Khan's terms and in return his life should be spared. The same message was conveyed to Afzal Khan's emissary, Krishnaji Bhasker."

The description of the incident further states, "Afzal Khan had hid a 'kataar', a small sharp-edged dagger, in his coat, whereas Shivaji wore armour under his clothes, and carried a weapon called 'wagh nakha' (tiger claws), consisting of an iron finger-grip with four razor claws, which he concealed within his clenched fist. He also carried a hidden 'bichwa' (small dagger). It was like a meeting between David and Goliath. While Shivaji was barely 1.68 metres tall, Afzal Khan was a giant of a man at 1.98 metres and built like a mountain.

 

 

The two men entered the tent which had been erected for their meeting. Afzal Khan pretended to greet Shivaji with a bear hug (even though there was no love lost between the two). He tried to grip Shivaji in an iron-like vice and (allegedly) stabbed Shivaji in the back with his dagger. However Shivaji, was protected due to the armour under his coat. Shivaji opened his fist and disembowelled Khan with his tiger claws. In a swift movement he again wounded the giant Khan with his bichwa. Afzal managed to hold on to his bleeding abdomen and staggered outside. He moved towards his palanquin. But the Khan was swiftly decapitated by one of Shivaji's bodyguards." The story goes on, but this is the main plot of the narration of the incident that took place between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan, but this is the historic incident that made 'Wagh Nakh' eternal in Indian history.

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