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Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
London's Victoria and Albert Museum to soon display Maharashtra's iconic Paithani saris
London's Victoria and Albert Museum will soon display Maharashtra's famous Paithani saris, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said on Tuesday. Shelar, who is in London to acquire the historic sword of the Maratha commander Raghuji Raje Bhosale, had visited the famous museum, where he had a discussion with its director Dr Tristram Hunt. 'We proposed that Maharashtra's Paithani be displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum. They have agreed to the request, and discussions were also held to ensure that in the future, exhibitions of handloom textiles from our state will also be held at the museum,' Shelar added. Paithani is a traditional rich and royal textile intricately woven by skilled weavers into saris. Paithani saris are often referred to as the 'queen of saris'. Shelar said: 'We had received Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's iconic 'Wagh Nakh' (tiger claws) on a three-year loan. However, they will eventually have to be returned. Such situations should not arise in the future. Therefore, we discussed the possibility of obtaining other important artefacts from the Victoria and Albert Museum on a longer-term loan.' Maharashtra will get back the sword of Raghuji Bhosale I, the general who expanded the Maratha empire in the 18th century, on August 18. The sword was won in an auction in London and Shelar took possession of the sword. The Victoria and Albert Museum will extend its cooperation as a consulting expert for the state museum that the Maharashtra government is setting up at BKC in Mumbai. The Cultural Affairs department is working towards signing a formal agreement in this regard.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sword of Maratha Royal Raghuji Bhonsle Returns Home On Aug 18 After 200 Years
1 2 3 Nagpur: A historic sword once wielded by Raghuji Bhonsle-I, founder of Nagpur's Bhonsle dynasty and a key Maratha commander under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, is set to return to India after more than two centuries. The Maharashtra govt secured the 18th-century weapon at a London auction earlier this year, marking one of the state's most significant cultural recoveries. Cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar personally took possession of the sword in London on Monday, calling it "a historic victory for Maharashtra". He said the operation was executed with urgency after the sword's sudden listing on April 28. "As soon as I learned about it, I spoke to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. We worked late into the night, coordinating with the Indian high commission and appointing a mediator to bid at Sotheby's on behalf of the govt," Shelar said in a media statement. The royal weapon will arrive at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on August 18 and will be escorted in a bike rally to the P L Deshpande Kala Academy, where it will be unveiled during the "Gad Garjana" programme that evening. It is the second major artefact repatriated by the state after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Wagh Nakh, now housed in Nagpur's Central Museum. The sword is a rare Maratha 'firang' style, combining a European-made straight, single-edged blade with gold-inscribed Devanagari text reading: Shrimant Raghoji Bhonsle Senasahibsubha Firang. The hilt is decorated with intricate 'koftgari' work, while the pommel is wrapped in green cloth. Experts believe it may have left India during the British seizure of the Nagpur treasury after the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi or as a ceremonial gift to the East India Company. Descendant Mudhoji Bhonsle welcomed the recovery as "a moment of immense pride," noting that the family had always sought the sword's return. He said he was also a bidder in the auction but supported the govt's acquisition. "It is a living emblem of our heritage," he said, offering to reimburse the state for the purchase and requesting the sword be displayed at Nagpur's Ajab Bangla, "where it rightfully belongs." Raghuji Bhonsle, who reigned from 1695 to 1755, was honoured with the title 'Senasahibsubha' for his military conquests, which expanded the Maratha empire deep into Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and the south. Historians say the sword's survival, with both its ornamental detailing and owner's name, is rare and provides a tangible link to 18th-century Maratha power and the global arms trade of the era. "Either me or a representative from our family will travel to Mumbai to receive the sword. We will try to bring the sword to Nagpur next month for public viewing. Whether Nagpur will be its final home will be discussed with the state govt," Mudhoji Bhonsle told TOI. "This is the first time Maharashtra has brought back such an important historical artefact through an overseas auction," Shelar said, thanking CM Fadnavis and deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for their support. "It is a moment of pride and a record in the state's name." Key Facts of Raghuji Bhonsle's Sword Date of Return: August 18 to Mumbai Original Owner: Raghuji Bhonsle I (1695–1755), founder of Nagpur's Bhonsle dynasty Artefact Type: 18th-century Maratha 'firang' sword with European blade Inscription: Gold-inlaid Devanagari — Shrimant Raghuji Bhonsle Senasahibsubha Firang Acquisition: Won by Maharashtra govt in London auction on April 28, 2025 Likely Origin of Departure: Post-1817 Battle of Sitabuldi or as East India Company gift Public Debut: "Gad Garjana" programme, P L Deshpande Kala Academy, Mumbai Future Display Request: Ajab Bangla, Nagpur, as proposed by descendant Mudhoji Bhonsle Historical Significance: Rare surviving Maratha weapon with confirmed ownership engraving 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.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bhosale Heir Envisions Maratha Legacy Museum in Nagpur To House Raghuji's Sword On Return from UK
1 2 Nagpur: In a push to reclaim a piece of Maratha history, Mudhoji Bhosale — descendant of Raghuji Raje Bhosale I — has offered to personally pay the full amount spent by the Maharashtra government to secure the warrior king's sword at a recent UK auction. He also pledged to cover transport and related formalities, making it clear he wants the artifact brought to Nagpur. "This is about legacy, not just ownership," Mudhoji said at a press conference at his Mahal residence on Wednesday. Beyond recovering the artifact, Mudhoji announced his long-term vision of establishing a grand Maratha legacy museum in the city with the sword as its centrepiece. Looking ahead, the family plans to establish the museum within the next four to five years. The museum would showcase arms, artifacts, cannons, which are currently at Mudhoji's residence, and the rich history of the Bhosale dynasty in Vidarbha. "We want a space where people can connect with our region's Maratha heritage," he added. Local voices have joined the call, urging the government to bring the sword to Nagpur's state-run museum or support the proposed legacy museum. Atul Guru of Durg Pratishthan, emphasized that cultural relevance matters. "We already have a state-run museum in Nagpur that displays artifacts linked to the region's Maratha and Vidarbha history. This sword belongs here. The recent display of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Wagh Nakh drew over 50,000 visitors to our museum. Imagine the response if we had Raghuji's sword on display permanently." The centuries-old sword was recently brought back into Indian hands after the Maharashtra government won a last-minute bid at a London auction, securing it for Rs47.15 lakh. Interestingly, the Bhosale family had also participated in the auction with two bids — Mandar Kadam and Ankur Singh, bidding up to Rs35 lakh before learning the state was also competing. "We didn't mind losing the bid as long as the sword came back to Maharashtra," said Mudhoji. "Now, our focus is to ensure it comes to Nagpur." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be Explained True Edition Undo He said that best efforts will be made between the Bhosales and government officials, including chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar, to determine the sword's final location. A ceremonial homecoming is being planned once it returns from the UK. He also reflected on Nagpur's historical significance. "The Nagpur Bhosale kingdom once spanned over 2.17 lakh square kilometers. When the Mahal Palace burned, legend says the fire raged for six months. The British looted heavily, and the sword might have been taken by an officer during those raids or by a British officer later, who might have gifted it to his senior," he added.
