The ‘Tiger Claws’ or ‘wagh nakh’, a historical 17th-century weapon, is set to return to India. The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum plans to sign an agreement with the Maharashtra government on October 3. This weapon is believed to have belonged to the legendary Maratha leader Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The Wagh Nakh’s Journey Home
- Four museums in India will exhibit the Tiger Claw, as reported by the Times of India. These are the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Satara, the Central Museum in Nagpur, and the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Kolhapur.
- The Tiger Claw was believed to be acquired by James Grant Duff, a political agent of the East India Company in 1818. However, this information remains unconfirmed.
- The Victoria and Albert Museum (V and A) is preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra government.
- The memorandum is expected to be signed on October 3, in sync with Maharashtra’s 350th anniversary celebrations.
History Of The ‘Tiger Claws’
- The ‘Wagh Nakh’ or ‘Tiger Claws’ were used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1659 during a crucial military conflict.
- Shivaji used these hidden weapons to defeat his adversary, Afzal Khan, who was the commander of the competing Bijapur forces.
- This battle took place at the base of the Pratapgarh fort, currently located in the Satara district of Maharashtra.
- Shivaji’s victory over Afzal Khan was a pivotal event in his endeavor to create the Maratha Empire.
- Despite being at a disadvantage, the Marathas, under Shivaji, triumphed over the Adilshahi troops led by Afzal Khan.
- Historical data shows that Shivaji and Afzal Khan agreed to a truce due to political unrest, which led to a private meeting in a tent.
- According to the V and A, the weapon is accompanied by a fitted case made after Grant Duff returned to Scotland. The inscription on the case reads: “The ‘Wagnuck’ of Sivajee With Which He Killed the Moghul General. This Relic was given to Mr. James Grant-Duff of Eden When he was Resident at Satara By the Prime Minister of the Peshwa of the Marathas”.
- The V and A description of the history of the ‘Tiger Claws’ explains: “Both came armed: Shivaji wore mail under his clothes and metal skull protection under his turban. He also held a metal ‘Tiger Claws’ weapon concealed in his hand. The two men fought, and Shivaji disembowelled his opponent.
- “The last Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Marathas, Baji Rao II, surrendered to the British in June 1818 after defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War and was banished to Bithoor near Kanpur. It is possible he also surrendered this weapon to Grant Duff. It has not been possible to verify whether these tiger claws are the ones used by Shivaji nearly 160 years earlier.”
Understanding The Loan Return Of ‘Wagh Nakh’
- British museums, both national and regional, use the concepts of “common humanity” and “shared history” to justify holding items that were questionably acquired or outright looted.
- In recent years, these museums proposed a compromise. They suggested sharing some of their “greatest objects” with global audiences through long-term partnerships with specific countries or museums.
- African groups and Greece didn’t warmly receive this proposal. It’s noteworthy that the British hold half of Greece’s entire Parthenon’s sculptural decoration.
- In 2018, Ethiopia’s ambassador made a clear declaration – the country would refuse to accept a loan of its own heritage. Instead, Ethiopia demanded complete return of its artifacts, with full ownership rights, for display in its national museums.
- India has heightened efforts in recent years to reclaim its cultural heritage, lost during the era of British colonial rule.
- As reported by Politico in May 2023, an Indian government representative expressed India’s approach towards reclaiming its antiquities. They hope for a process that involves bilateral cooperation and aligns with international arrangements.
- As the presiding country of the Group of 20 (G20) nations, India had used its influence to place the issue of repatriation of antiquities on the agenda. The topic was discussed at the G20 leaders’ summit, which took place in India’s capital recently.