Shivaji's 'Tiger Claws' to Come to India for His 350th Coronation Anniversary | Know All About Its History

Chhatrapati Shivaji’s famous wagh nakh, or ‘tiger claws’, is all set to return to India as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London will be giving it to the Maharashtra government later this year, to exhibit the artifact for three years in Mumbai. State culture minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will be visiting London to sign the agreement on Tuesday (October 3), which coincides with the 350th anniversary celebrations of the Maratha ruler’s coronation.

According to a report published by NDTV, earlier this month Mungantiwar had said: “In the first phase, we are bringing the wagh nakh. It should be brought here in November, and we are signing an MoU for that. Our effort is to bring it on the day when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj disemboweled Afzal Khan.”

The 17th century weapon, with which Shivaji is said to have defeated Bijapur sultanate’s commander Afzal Khan, will be housed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum. “The V&A looks forward to welcoming senior leadership from the Maharashtra government, to sign a memorandum of understanding,” a museum spokesperson said.

What is the ‘wagh nakh’?

Originally a set of two, the 17th century weapon made of steel looks like ‘claws’. According to the website of V&A’s ‘Explore the Collections’, it is “designed to be concealed in the palm of the hand. It has four claws mounted on a bar with two rings for the first and fourth fingers. The difference in size between the two rings indicates that it is a weapon to be used in the left hand”.

It is housed in the London museum’s South and Southeast Asia collections.

What is the weapon’s historical significance?

Shivaji is said to have concealed the metal claws, or wagh nakh, in his hand and disemboweled Afzal Khan, who was the commander of the Bijapur army, during a protracted military engagement in 1659. “The story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s triumph over Afzal Khan is legendary, so we are delighted that the ‘tiger claws’ will return to India as part of the 350th anniversary events where they can be enjoyed as part of the celebrations. We hope that their display might also enable new research into their history and look forward to working in partnership with colleagues in the months ahead as we develop plans for their display,” the museum spokesperson said.

Shivaji killed Afzal Khan at the foot of the Pratapgarh Fort in present-day Satara district of Maharashtra. The victory for the Marathas at the Battle of Pratapgad in 1659 was a turning point in Shivaji’s campaign to establish the empire. Marathas defeated the Adilshahi forces led by Khan despite being outnumbered. And the episode between the two leaders became folklore since as an example of Shivaji’s cunning, bravery and reputation as a great military strategist.

Historical accounts say Shivaji and Afzal Khan had arranged a truce after political upheavals to meet in a tented enclosure, virtually alone.

Here’s a description by the V&A: “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 disemboweled his opponent.”

While announcing the decision to bring back the weapon, Mungantiwar had said: “When Afzal Khan stabbed Shivaji Maharaj in the back (during the meeting), Shivaji Maharaj used a wagh nakh to kill the cruel, demonic Afzal Khan.” “The wagh nakh is a source of inspiration and energy for us. This year also marks the 350th anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation.”

How did Shivaji’s legendary weapon reach the V&A?

The V&A describes the weapon’s historical trace as having been in the possession of one James Grant-Duff, who was an officer of the East India Company and appointed resident or political agent of the Satara state in 1818. The artifact’s description states that it was gifted to the V&A by a descendant.

Grant-Duff added a fitted case to the weapon after he 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 Minister of the Peshwa of the Marathas.’

The V&A also describes how this weapon may have reached the officer. “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…”

Weapon’s authenticity under question?

Even the V&A states that it has not been possible to verify if these metal claws are the ones used by Shivaji “nearly 160 years before”. Its authenticity is also under debate among historians.

The NDTV report stated that history expert Inderjit Sawant has pointed out that the Victoria and Albert Museum website states that Chhatrapati Shivaji did not use the weapon.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has also questioned its authenticity.