Iconic 17th Century 'Tiger Claws' Weapon to Return to India in Historic V&A Museum Agreement

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V and A) is preparing to return a 17th century weapon called the 'Tiger Claws' to India, after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government. The weapon is believed to have belonged to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who used the claws to defeat his opponent in a battle.

The MoU will be signed next week, coinciding with Maharashtra's 350th anniversary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation. During a military engagement in 1659, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is said to have concealed metal claws, known as wagh nakh, in his hand and disembowelled his opponent, Afzal Khan, the commander of the opposing Bijapur army. The set of claws was then believed to have come into the possession of James Grant Duff, an officer of the East India Company who was appointed Resident of the Satara state in 1818. The claws were later gifted to the V and A Museum by a descendant.

The V and A Museum spokesperson expressed excitement about the 'Tiger Claws' returning to India as part of the 350th anniversary events, where they will be exhibited and celebrated. Additionally, the museum hopes that the display of the claws will lead to new research on their history. The MoU is expected to be signed next week and the weapon will be dispatched to India later this year. The weapon comes with a fitted case that was made by James Grant Duff after his return to Scotland. The case bears an inscription that reads, "The 'Wagnuck' of Sivajee With Which He Killed the Moghul General. This Relic was given to Mr. James Grant-Duff of Eden When he was Resident at Satara By the Prime Minister of the Peshwa of the Marathas."

According to historical accounts, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan arranged a truce after political upheavals and met alone in a tented enclosure. Both men were armed, with Shivaji wearing mail under his clothes and a metal skull protection under his turban. He also held the concealed 'Tiger Claws' weapon in his hand and ultimately disembowelled Afzal Khan. It is speculated that the last Prime Minister of the Marathas, Baji Rao II, surrendered the weapon to Grant Duff after his defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War and subsequent banishment to Bithoor.

However, it has not been possible to verify whether these tiger claws are the specific ones used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj nearly 160 years earlier. The return of the 'Tiger Claws' to India signifies a significant moment in history, highlighting the valor and triumph of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This exhibition and collaboration between the V and A Museum and the Maharashtra government will provide an opportunity for visitors to delve into the rich cultural and historical heritage of India.