New Delhi [India], July 18 (HBTV): The 'Wagh Nakh' (Tiger claw) used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill Mughal General Afzal Khan will be arriving in India from London's Victoria and Albert Museum on Friday, July 19 for a period of three years, as per Maharashtra Minister of Culture Sudhir Mungantiwar. 

The claw will be kept at the Shivaji Museum in Satara in a grand ceremony that will be presided over by Maharastra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on the same day.   

In October 2024, Maharashtra Ministers Sudhir Mungantiwar and Uday Samant signed a memorandum of understanding with London's Victoria and Albert Museum to bring back Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Wagh Nakh to India for a period of three years.   

Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the 'Wagh Nakh' will be kept at a museum so that people can get a chance to witness it. 

Speaking to reporters, Sudhir Mungantiwar said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj killed Afzal Khan with the help of the Wagh Nakh. ‘A lot of programmes will be held in Maharashtra. We will be giving a chance to the people to witness the Wagh Nakh by displaying it in the museum. 

"As per the MoU, we will not be able to take Wagh Nakh in all the districts of Maharashtra, which we had earlier thought; instead, we will keep Wagh Nakh at a particular spot where all the people will be able to visit," he added.  

He said that the Wagh Nakh is a "symbol of faith". 

The display is part of the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji. The choice of Satara Museum to host the Wagh Nakh also has significance. Chhatrapati Shivaji killed Afzal Khan at the foot of Pratapgarh fort in Satara.  

(ANI)