Shivaji's Tiger Claw Returns to Chhatrapati Museum

The iconic 'wagh nakh,' believed to have been used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill Bijapur Sultanate's general Afzal Khan, has been returned to India from London's Victoria and Albert Museum. The weapon is set to be displayed in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum in Satara and other locations across Maharashtra for three years. Despite its historical significance, there is an ongoing controversy over the authenticity of the wagh nakh, with some historians doubting whether it is the actual weapon used by Shivaji Maharaj. State Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has dismissed these claims, asserting the artifact's authenticity and detailing the minimal cost incurred for its transportation. The exhibit will open with a grand inauguration attended by key state officials and Shivaji Maharaj's descendants.