Maharashtra govt brings back iconic sword of Maratha commander Raghuji Raje Bhonsle auctioned for Rs 47.15 lakh to Mumbai

Raghuji Bhonsle led military campaigns against the Nawab of Bengal in 1745 and 1755 and expanded the Maratha empire to Bengal and Odisha. His sword was bought by the Maharashtra government for Rs 47.15 lakh at a London auction.

Mumbai: In a significant day for Indian heritage and history, the iconic sword of Maratha commander Raghuji Raje Bhonsle was brought to Mumbai on Monday.

The sword was bought by the Maharashtra government for Rs 47.15 lakh at a London auction.

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 and was conferred the title - ‘Senasahib Subha’ by Chhatrapati Shahu I Maharaj. 

Like the Peshwe (Pune), Holkar (Indore), Gaikwad (Baroda), and Scindia (Gwalior) families, the Nagpur Bhonsle family also played a significant role in expanding the Maratha Empire.

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 Senasahib Subha Firang. 

Raghuji Bhonsle led military campaigns against the Nawab of Bengal in 1745 and 1755 and expanded the Maratha empire to Bengal and Odisha.

Along with this, he established his dominance over the regions of Chanda, Chhattisgarh, and Sambalpur during his reign.  He also defeated the Nawabs of Cuddapah and Kurnool and established his military and political dominance in South India. 

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur, has taken personal interest to ensure that the sword is brought to India.

Last week, state’s Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar travelled to London to secure the sword which the Maharashtra government purchased during an auction on 29 April.

"A valuable and historical treasure of our Maratha Empire, the historic sword of Raje Raghuji Bhonsle, the founder of the Nagpur Bhonsle dynasty, was put up for auction. After the state government purchased it on April 29, it has now officially come into the possession of the Maharashtra government,” said Fadnavis. 

Experts believe the sword was likely taken during the East India Company’s plundering of the Bhonsle treasury in Nagpur in 1817 and then to England. 

The sword has been kept at the P L Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy in Prabhadevi, where people can view it as part of a programme titled “Sena Saheb Subha Parakram Darshan” organise by the Cultural Affairs Department in collaboration with the Archaeology and Museums Directorate and the Kala Academy. 

Alongside the sword, information would be displayed on the 12 forts, which has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Shrimant Mudhoji Raje Bhonsle, descendant of Raghuji Bhonsle, was  present for the occasion.

“The iconic sword of the legendary Raghuji Raje Bhonsle has reached Mumbai from London and was brought with due reverence to PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Prabhadevi. Following due procedures, the sword will be thoroughly documented from its journey in London till its arrival in Mumbai, and placed at the Academy for devotees of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to witness,” said Shelar.