MUMBAI, Jul 7: Maharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday said the iconic sword of 18th century Maratha general Raje Raghuji Bhonsle, acquired by the state government at an auction for nearly Rs 70 lakh, would be brought to the state by July-end or before August 15.
Speaking in the Legislative Council, Shelar said the state government got to know in April that the sword of Raghuji Bhonsle was getting auctioned in London.
The Maratha warrior, founder of the Bhonsle dynasty of Nagpur, had led a battle against the Nawab of Bengal. At the time, the Maratha empire’s influence extended up to (present-day) Bengal and Odisha and Raghuji Bhonsle was known for his bravery and war tactics, Shelar said.
“We had only two days (to take part in the auction). We took all permissions and participated in the auction. We bought (the sword) for the highest auction Rs 69,84,437. The state government acquired it officially. It would be brought to Maharashtra by July-end or before August 15,” Shelar said.
The sword is an epitome of Maratha pride, war tactics, pride of Marathi manoos (people) and it will be kept in Maharashtra permanently, the minister said.
Shelar made a similar statement in the Legislative Assembly.
The slightly curved, European-style single-edged blade with two fullers and imitation maker’s marks towards the forte, the spine gold inlaid with Devanagari script, set in a traditional basket’-style hilt fully overlaid with worked gold, the grip covered in green woven wool, is how a global auction house described the sword.
The inscription in Devanagari script on the spine suggests that it was made for the Maratha general Raghuji Bhonsle, who established a large kingdom centred on the city of Nagpur in the north of the Deccan, it said.
The long straight blade has been marked to appear European in origin. (PTI)
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