London: In a noteworthy accomplishment, London’s Victoria and Albert Museum on Tuesday announced that it will loan the iconic tiger claws, also known as Wagnakh to the government of Maharashtra in the coming months in preparation for Chhatrapati Shivaji’s 350th coronation anniversary.
Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant alongside Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungatiwar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington earlier this week for loaning the 1659-made tiger claws for a span of three years.
A razor-sharp and retractable weapon, the 8.6 cm long Waghnakh with 4 claws mounted on a bar with two finger rings was instrumental in triumphing over Adil Shahi dynasty General, Afzal Khan in 1659 at Pratapgad Fort in Maharashtra.
The 17th-century steel claws designed to be concealed in the palm of the hand are set to travel to multiple destinations across India. Currently part of the V & A Collection in the South Asian Section, Room 41, the “unique pair of tiger claws” along with its leather case will be displayed at CSMVS Museum once the agreement is formalised later this year.
“It was an honour to host the delegation today as we work together to establish this historic partnership between the V&A, the Government of Maharashtra and our colleagues in the CSMVS museum – which will enable this unique object to be enjoyed as part of celebrations in India next year,” said the Director of V&A, Dr Tristram Hunt.
The tiger claws were first given as a ‘gift’ to James Hunt Duff of Eden, a political agent for East India Company by the last reigning Peshwa of the Marathas, Baji Rao II, in 1818 in Satara, Maharashtra who surrendered after their defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
Vrushal Khandke, President of Maharashtra Mandal London told PTI, “Today is a proud moment for every Maharashtrian and every Indian. The celebration we are having today is for the MoU signing.”
The Tiger Claws are expected to journey back to India almost 205 years later.