“Wagh Nakh” to Return to Maharashtra Temporarily

October 6, 2023

The government of Maharashtra has reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to bring back a historic weapon known as the “wagh nakh” to the state on loan for three years. The wagh nakh, meaning “tiger claws,” is a medieval claw-like dagger used across the Indian subcontinent. It features curved blades and was employed for personal defense or stealth attacks.

Significance of the Wagh Nakh in Shivaji’s Legend

The most famous use of the wagh nakh in history is associated with the killing of Afzal Khan by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Afzal Khan, a general of Bijapur’s Adil Shahi Sultanate, was sent to subdue Shivaji, who had become increasingly assertive in the 1650s.
In a treacherous meeting, Shivaji used the concealed wagh nakh to defend himself when Afzal Khan attempted to stab him. Khan was fatally wounded, and Shivaji’s army emerged victorious.

The Journey of the Wagh Nakh to London

The wagh nakh was brought to Britain by East India Company officer James Grant Duff (1789-1858), who served as the Company Resident in the Satara State from 1818 to 1822.
Duff had a fitted case made for the weapon and inscribed it with details about its historical significance.

Return of the Wagh Nakh and Colonial Artifacts

The return of the wagh nakh is part of a broader trend in which countries seek the repatriation of cultural and historical artifacts taken during the colonial era.
Museums in Europe and other Western countries have come under scrutiny for possessing objects acquired through colonial plunder.
While the wagh nakh’s return is temporary, it reflects the growing acknowledgment of the colonial past and the demand for the repatriation of significant artifacts.

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