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Here’s everything you need to know about the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Wagh Nakh and his other weapons that are on display at Mumbai’s CSMVS museum until May 2027.
News18
Mumbai residents and history enthusiasts can now get a closer look at one of the most talked-about weapons associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The historic Wagh Nakh, or tiger claws, is on public display at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai as part of a special exhibition titled ‘Shivshastra Shauryagatha’.
The exhibition, inaugurated on November 13, 2026, brings together several weapons associated with Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha era, including swords, shields and traditional arms. It will remain open to visitors for six months, until May 2027.
The Wagh Nakh was brought to India from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum under a three-year loan agreement and has travelled to different cities in Maharashtra before arriving in Mumbai.
If you want to visit this exhibit, here’s everything you will need to know before you book your tickets:
What is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Wagh Nakh?
Wagh Nakh literally translates to ‘tiger claws’. It is a small, claw-shaped weapon designed to fit over the fingers or sit concealed in the palm. It typically consists of four or five curved metal blades attached to a bar or plate, allowing the wearer to grip it in the hand. The weapon was designed for close combat and could inflict deep cuts.
The Wagh Nakh is closely associated with the encounter between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan, a general of the Adil Shahi Sultanate, at Pratapgad in 1659. Historical accounts and popular narratives describe Shivaji Maharaj using the weapon during the confrontation, in which Afzal Khan was killed. The episode remains one of the most significant events in Maratha history.
How did the Wagh Nakh return to India from London?
The weapon was brought to Maharashtra from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London under a three-year loan agreement. The agreement was signed in 2023, with the state government arranging for the artefact to be displayed in museums across Maharashtra.
The loan was part of an effort to bring the weapon to India for the 350th anniversary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation. The arrangement allowed visitors in different parts of Maharashtra to see the historic object without it being permanently transferred to India.
Where has the Wagh Nakh been displayed in Maharashtra?
Before reaching Mumbai, the Wagh Nakh travelled across three cities in Maharashtra:
- Satara: The weapon was first displayed at the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Satara from July 20, 2024, to January 31, 2025.
- Nagpur: It was subsequently displayed in Nagpur from February 1 to September 30, 2025.
- Kolhapur: The Wagh Nakh arrived at Laxmi Vilas Palace in Kolhapur on October 2, 2025. The exhibition was extended beyond its original schedule and remained open until the end of October 2026. According to a report by The Times of India, the display attracted more than 1.5 lakh visitors over the past year.
- Mumbai: The weapon has now arrived at CSMVS, where it is part of the ‘Shivshastra Shauryagatha’ exhibition until May 2027.
What other historic Maratha weapons can visitors see in Mumbai?
The Mumbai exhibition features several other weapons associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha period. These include:
- The sword of Senasaheb Subha Raghuji Raje Bhosale
- The sword of Maratha commander Prataprao Gujar
- The shield of Khanderao Gaekwad
- The Dandpatta, a traditional gauntlet sword, associated with Sardar Raste
- Other swords, shields and weapons from the Shivaji and Maratha eras
The exhibition has been organised jointly by the Maharashtra government’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, and CSMVS.
Speaking at the inauguration, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said, “Bringing back historical weapons such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Wagh Nakh and Raghuji Raje Bhosale’s sword to Maharashtra through international efforts and by following all prescribed rules and procedures was our responsibility.” The quote was reported by the Free Press Journal.
Shelar also said that the weapons represented more than military valour, reflecting engineering skills, metallurgy and strategic planning.
How to visit the Wagh Nakh exhibition at CSMVS in Mumbai
The ‘Shivshastra Shauryagatha’ exhibition is being held at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. It is scheduled to remain open for six months, until May 2027. The ticket rates to enter the museum are ₹200 for Indian adults above 15 years, ₹40 for children aged five to 15, and ₹100 for college students with valid identification, senior citizens and defence personnel with valid identification.
The display also follows conservation measures, including temperature control, appropriate lighting and safety distances between visitors and the artefacts, to protect the historic weapons while allowing the public to view them.
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Abigail Banerji is a Senior Sub Editor with News18’s English desk. She brings 6 years of experience across both print and digital newsrooms, spanning editorial planning, reportage, copy editing, conte…Read More
November 15, 2026, 12:39 IST
