The people of Maharashtra will now be able to witness the tale of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja's bravery and prowess as the Wagh Nakh, known as tiger claw dagger, will be brought back to India in July and displayed in a new gallery at Satara.
According to the conservator of museums, Pravin Shinde, the tiger nails will be transported by the first week of July.
Specifically for this, a dedicated gallery has been established at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Satara to showcase these historic artifacts. The gallery's completion is nearing its final stages, with meticulous safety measures in place.
The tiger claws are housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. They had set specific criteria and conditions for its transfer. The Archaeological Survey of India fulfilled all requirements, facilitating their return to India.
It is pertinent to note that these claws hold profound historical importance. Therefore, it will be kept on display in Satara museum for the next 10 months from July till May 2025. However, they will be on display for a total of three years at three different locations. They are set to be exhibited sequentially in museums located in Kolhapur and Nagpur as well, each for a year.
A team led by Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar went to London on September 29 to bring back the tiger to its homeland in 2023. The three-member team included Dr Vikas Kharge, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, along with Sudhir Mungantiwar and Tejas Garge, Director, State Directorate of Archeology and Museums.
During the tour, the Maharashtra government had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Britain to bring this historical and priceless relic. It is expected to cost around INR 50 lakh to bring the tiger back to India. It was taken to Britain in 1824.
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