Historic Wagh Nakh to be Displayed in Maharashtra
The historic Wagh Nakh, used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will be securely displayed at the Sri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Satara
The famed Wagh Nakh, believed to have been used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill Bijapur general Afzal Khan in 1659, is set to arrive in India from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The artefact will be showcased at the Sri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Satara starting in the first or second week of July.
The Maharashtra government has signed an MoU with the London-based museum to display the Wagh Nakh in various locations across the state over the next three years. After its initial 8-month stay in Satara, the artefact will be exhibited in Kolhapur and Nagpur museums for 8 months each before being displayed in Mumbai.
A museum assistant, said, “The showcase with laminated glass cost Rs 8 lakh and is ready for the display. It is fitted with sensors and monitored by CCTV cameras. An armed guard will also be present for security.”
A temperature and humidity control unit has been installed to ensure the artefact’s preservation. “We have increased the installation of climate control units to avoid the impact of weather changes,” Shinde added.
A painting depicting the historic incident at the base of Pratapgarh Fort will accompany the Wagh Nakh.
The museum has received Rs 1.3 crore to develop the gallery, while the Kolhapur Museum has received Rs 6.6 crore for renovations. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director General of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, will oversee the safe transport of the artefact during its stay in Maharashtra.
The Satara Museum will also host an exhibition of weapons used during Shivaji Maharaj’s rule. This exhibition will run alongside the public display of the Wagh Nakh, providing visitors with a comprehensive view of the era’s armoury.
