‘Tiger Claws’ Of Chhatrapati Shivaji Will Be Returned To India Under A Deal Signed By A UK Museum

The 17th-century ‘Tiger Claws’ weapon, thought to have belonged to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will travel returned to India for an exhibition thanks to an agreement that the Victoria and Albert (V & A) Museum will sign with the Maharashtra government next week.

Afzal Khan, the commander of the opposing Bijapur army, is supposed to have been disemboweled by the famous Maratha chieftain, who is said to have had metal claws, or wagh nakh, concealed in his hand during a protracted military conflict in 1659.

The set of claws is thought to have been acquired by James Grant Duff, an East India Company officer who was appointed Resident or political agent of the Satara state in 1818, though this is unconfirmed and was later donated to the V and A by a descendent.

A V and A spokeswoman stated, “The V and A looks forward to welcoming senior leadership from the Maharashtra government, to sign a memorandum of understanding.”

We are thrilled that the ‘Tiger Claws’ will return to India as part of the 350th anniversary activities where they can be appreciated as part of the celebrations because the tale of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s victory over Afzal Khan is legendary. We anticipate collaborating with colleagues in the coming months as we establish ideas for their presentation, and we hope that their display may also facilitate fresh research into their history.

The MoU is anticipated to be signed on Tuesday, which also happens to be the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s coronation in Maharashtra. Later this year, it is planned to be sent to India for a predetermined time.

The weapon comes with a fitting casing that was created when Grant Duff returned to Scotland, according to the V and A. “The ‘Wagnuck’ of Sivajee With Which He Killed the Moghul General,” is written about the case. When Mr. James Grant-Duff of Eden resided in Satara, the Peshwa of the Marathas, the prime minister, gave him this relic.

According to historical accounts, Shivaji and Afzal Khan met virtually alone in a tented enclosure during political upheavals.

The V and A account of the ‘Tiger Claws‘ narrative states: ‘Both came armed: Shivaji wore mail under his clothing and metal skull protection under his turban. Additionally, he had a metal ‘Tiger Claws’ weapon in his hand that was hidden. Shivaji defeated his opponent by disemboweling him during their fight.

“Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Marathas, was exiled to Bithoor near Kanpur after the Marathas were defeated in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in June 1818. It’s probable that he gave Grant Duff this gun as well. It has been impossible to confirm whether these tiger claws are the same ones Shivaji used more than 160 years ago.