Jagdamba Talwar: Amidst the news of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's return from Britain, discussion about his special sword Jagdamba has started. In such a situation, the question is how did this special sword reach Britain? Who took it? Did this sword arrive during the robbery or after adopting some other practical method?
Amidst the news of return of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Wagh-Nakh from Britain, discussion about his special sword Jagadamba has started. People hope that Jagdamba, the sword of Maratha pride, will also return now. Britain and the Indian government have to decide when and how it will come. Since today the relations between India and Britain are very comfortable at every level, there will not be any major problem in the arrival of this special sword. The British government will easily return it.
In such a situation, the question is how did this special sword reach Britain? Who took it? Did this sword arrive during the robbery or after adopting some other practical method?
The story starts from the year 1875
The story of Jagadamba going to Britain dates back to 1875. At that time, Crown Prince of Wales Albert Edward VII had come to India in the month of December. It is said that he was fond of old weapons and wherever such unique weapons were found, he kept them with him. Only after the information about his arrival was confirmed, the British officers put pressure on the then kings to gift old and unique weapons to the Crown Prince. At that time the British had become so influential that it was not in the power of any king to refuse them anything easily because at that time most of the royal families wanted the favor of the British. So that their pride remains intact.
The British also exacted heavy taxes from him and in return he was allowed to treat him like a king. Wherever the Prince went, the princely states would gift him the old weapons of their ancestors. It is said that during that visit, five hundred princely states had presented weapons to the Crown Prince.
connection to bombay
When he reached Bombay during his tour, he was presented Jagadamba, the special sword of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This work was done by his descendant Shivaji IV, who was only 11 years old and gifted the sword Jagadamba and a dagger. At that time a special court was set up for the Crown Prince in Bombay. When the British decided to accept this sword as a gift from the Crown Prince, its condition was very bad. The diamonds and rubies that were embedded in it earlier had been uprooted and disappeared. There was no sheath either.
This sword was just lying in the armory. It was newly polished before presenting it to the Crown Prince. Diamonds and jewels were studded. A new sheath was also made. Yuvraj took it with him to Britain.
Where is that sword now?
This sword is currently kept in Queen Victoria's private museum at St. James's Palace in Britain. This was revealed two years ago. Since then the Maharashtra government started efforts for its return through the Centre. The tiger nail of Shivaji Maharaj which is being brought back now, was the one with which Shivaji Maharaj had killed Afzal Khan. He had called Shivaji Maharaj to kill him by deceit. Wagh Nakha is a weapon worn hidden in the palm. It is inspired by the claws of a tiger.
These days the central government is running a campaign to return such heritages from all over the world. More than 250 items have been returned through this effort. Dozens more to come. Wagh Nakh is also one of them.
Who was Shivaji IV?
Now let us understand who Shivaji IV was. When Aurangzeb murdered Shambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his second son Rajaram got the title of Chhatrapati. Shambhaji and Rajaram were step brothers. Shivaji IV was a descendant of Chhatrapati Rajaram.
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