Latest news with #RaghujiBhonsleI
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Sword of Maratha commander Raghuji Bhonsle returns to Mumbai, to be unveiled at exhibition
MUMBAI: The sword of Maratha commander Raghuji Raje Bhonsle, bought by the Maharashtra government for ₹47.15 lakh at a London auction a week ago, will return to India on Monday. It will be put on public display in Mumbai for the first time. Sword of Maratha commander Raghuji Bhonsle returns to Mumbai, to be unveiled at exhibition The 18th-century Firangi sword, once wielded by Raghuji Bhonsle I, will be the showpiece of a week-long exhibition that also explores the legacy of twelve heritage forts of Maharashtra. The exhibition will be held from August 19 to 25 at the P L Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy in Prabhadevi, between 11AM and 7PM The sword, bought from England by cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar, will receive a grand state welcome at the international airport, where Shelar will formally receive it. After paying homage at the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the sword will be carried in a bike rally and later placed on a decorated chariot for its journey to the PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy in Prabhadevi. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will ceremoniously unveil the weapon on Monday evening at the 'Sena Saheb Subha Parakram Darshan' programme, organised by the Cultural Affairs Department in collaboration with the Archaeology and Museums Directorate and the Kala Academy. Shrimant Mudhoji Raje Bhonsle, descendant of Raghuji Bhonsle, will be present for the occasion. Born in 1695, Raghuji Bhonsle I was the founder of the Nagpur Bhonsle dynasty and one of the most formidable commanders of the Maratha army during Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj's reign. Conferred the title of 'Senasahib Subha' for his bravery, Raghuji led campaigns that extended Maratha influence deep into Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and southern India. His Nagpur kingdom, rich in iron and copper, became renowned for its elegant yet formidable weaponry. Raghuji died in 1755, leaving behind a legacy as one of the 18th century's most daring Maratha leaders. The sword that went under the hammer in London is a rare example of a Maratha 'Firangi' weapon — a straight European blade fitted with a locally crafted hilt. Its gold-inlaid Mulheri hilt bears intricate koftgari work, while the blade spine carries a Devanagari inscription: 'Shreemant Raghoji Bhosale Senasahib Subha Firang'. Such inscriptions are extremely rare in Maratha weaponry, making this piece invaluable for historians. Experts believe the sword may have left India following the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, when the Nagpur Bhonsales were defeated by the British East India Company and their treasury plundered. Whether lost in war loot or later given as a tribute, the sword eventually found its way into private collections in Britain before resurfacing at auction this year.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maratha general Raghuji Bhonsle's sword to arrive in Mumbai from London
Mumbai: The sword of Raghuji Bhonsle I, a Maratha general who expanded the empire in the 18th century, will be repatriated to Maharashtra from London on Aug 18. Cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar on Monday took possession of the sword in London, won by the Maharashtra government in an auction. The sword is believed to have been taken outside India during the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi, when the British East India Company defeated the Nagpur Bhonsles. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "This is the first time that a historic object taken abroad has been retrieved by winning it in an auction. I feel fortunate to take possession of a sword that has been a witness to many feats. This is a historic victory for all of Maharashtra," Shelar said. The govt had stated that the sword was reclaimed at an auction in London for Rs 47.15 lakh. Shelar underlined the Devendra Fadnavis govt's efforts to acquire the sword since April 28. The news of the sword, an important historical artefact, being put up for auction surfaced suddenly on April 28, Shelar said, adding that the embassy was contacted and an intermediary was appointed to participate in the auction. "When I received the sword today, a large number of Marathi-speaking residents of London were present, and they celebrated the moment with great enthusiasm," he said. Deputy director of the state archaeology department, Hemant Dalvi, accompanied Shelar on the trip. "The sword will land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Aug 18. It will be brought to the PL Deshpande Kala Academy in Dadar in a bike rally amid music and fanfare, and later in the day, a special programme titled 'Gad Garjana' will be held," Shelar said. He hailed the leadership of chief minister Fadnavis and his deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. The sword belonged to Raghuji Bhonsle I, founder of the Nagpur Bhonsle dynasty. "Shahu Maharaj conferred on him the title of 'Senasahibsubha' in recognition of his valour and military strategy," Shelar said, noting that Raghuji Bhonsle had led campaigns against the Nawab of Bengal in 1745 and 1755, extending Maratha influence to Bengal and Odisha, and establishing dominance in regions including Chanda, Chhattisgarh and Sambalpur. The sword is a fine example of the Maratha 'firang' style, with a straight, single-edged European-made blade, gold decorations on its Mulheri hilt, and an inscription in Devanagari near the hilt reading 'Shrimant Raghoji Bhonsle Senasahibsubha Firang'. Shelar stated that the sword's craftsmanship and the presence of the owner's name make it unique among Maratha-era weapons. "Historians believe the sword may have left India during the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi, when the British East India Company defeated the Nagpur Bhonsles and seized treasures, including valuable artefacts and weapons. "It is likely that the sword was taken in war booty or given as a gift to the British, and eventually made its way abroad," Shelar said. Notably, the 'wagh nakh' or tiger claw-shaped weapon used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was brought to Mumbai from a London museum last July. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
A sword returns, a legacy revived: Why Raghuji Bhonsle's weapon matters?
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday (April 29) reclaimed the iconic sword of Maratha warrior Raje Raghuji Bhonsle I at an auction in London for Rs 47.15 lakh. In a post on X, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, 'I am happy to announce that the state government has purchased the historic sword of Raje Raghuji Bhonsle, the founder of the Bhonsle family of Nagpur, which was auctioned in London. Thus, a valuable and historical treasure from our Maratha Empire will now come to Maharashtra.' What are the features of the sword? The basket-hilt sword has a European-style single-edged blade, which is slightly curved, and two fullers — grooves or channels that run the length of the sword. The spine of the sword is inlaid in gold with an inscription in Devanagari script. The inscription reads Shrimant Raghuji Bhosale Sena Saheb Subah Firang, suggesting that the sword could be ceremonial. Sena Saheb Subah was a title of high military rank that was associated with the Maratha Empire, and would be usually conferred by the Chhatrapatis of Satara. The person receiving the title would also get a sword and robe. This particular sword is likely a gift from Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj to Raghuji Raje Bhonsle who was conferred with the title of Sena Saheb Subah. Who were Nagpur Bhonsles? Like the Peshwe, Holkar, Gaikwad, and Scindia families, the Nagpur Bhonsle family also played a significant role in expanding the Maratha Empire. The family was one of the royal or Kshatriya clans of the Marathas, and considered itself as the descendant of Udaipur's Sisodia Rajputs. The Bhonsles of Nagpur were known as Hinganikar as one of their ancestors — who was probably a contemporary of Maloji, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — rehabilitated the village Beradi near Hingani in the present district of Pune. Notably, after the death of Shivaji Maharaj, his obsequies were performed by Sabaji Bhosle, as Sambhaji, the eldest son, was in confinement on the fort of Panhala, according to Malhar Ram Rao Chitnis's biography of Shivaji Maharaj, called Chitnis Bakhar. Who was Raghuji Raje Bhonsle I? Raghuji Bhonsle I was an important figure in 18th-century Maratha history, whose power was shaped by both family conflict and strategic alliances. Backed by Chhatrapati Shahu in 1728, Raghuji Bhonsle set out not just to confront his uncle Kanhoji but to carve out a legacy of power, earning new titles, lands, and the right to collect taxes across Berar and Gondawana. His decisive victory in 1730 after the siege of Bham marked a turning point, securing his leadership and laying the foundation for the Bhonsle dynasty's rise in Nagpur. In the second half of the eighteenth century, as Mughal authority crumbled and Maratha power expanded, Raghuji Bhonsle I emerged as the key figure in bringing Odisha under Maratha rule following the 1751 treaty with Nawab Alivardi Khan, marking the start of Maratha administration over the region and the Jagannath temple in Puri. Raghuji Bhonsle I, after taking control of Odisha in 1751, played a pivotal role in reviving the Shree Jagannath Temple's activities, which had languished under Mughal rule. He appointed priests, restarted daily offerings, ensured temple upkeep, and made generous endowments—including the Mohun Bhog established by his mother—and assigned land revenue worth Rs 27,000 (Satais Hazari Mahal) for its support. To aid pilgrims, Raghuji Bhonsle built over 22 Dharamshala, spent Rs 20,000 annually to conduct the yatra in full grandeur, introduced the Annachhatra charity scheme, and developed roads connecting Puri to the rest of the country—restoring the temple's sanctity and making it a vibrant hub for Hindu worship again. Raghuji Bhonsle I expanded the Maratha empire to Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. He led pivotal military campaigns in Bengal from 1745 and 1755. The approximate area under the rule of Nagpurkar Bhonsles was 2.17 lakh sq km. It was initially Raghuji Bhonsle I who raided Odisha and Bengal and reclaimed the temples. How did the sword leave India? Following the 1817 battle of Sitabuldi, where the East India Company defeated the Nagpur Bhonsles, the British looted the Bhonsle treasury, seizing priceless treasures, ornaments, and weapons. Experts believe that this sword may have been a part of that war loot or a gift presented to the British in the aftermath of the battle. During the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, the British East India Company, under the leadership of General Sir Alexander Campbell, set fire to the Bhonsle Palace in Nagpur – said to be bigger than Shaniwar Wada of the Peshwas of Pune – and it remained ablaze for six months. It was the same time when the Holkars were defeated in the battle of Mahidpur.
