tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52770436407907175942024-03-13T07:09:31.339-07:00IN SEARCH OF BHAWANI TALWARDeepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18226105213469983245noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277043640790717594.post-3657313257388889402010-04-16T08:30:00.001-07:002016-01-25T20:05:13.853-08:00 जी भवानी फोडली ती वसे तुझ्या करी ! रक्त आज मागते हौस तू करी पुरी ! तलवार मागायची ? भिक म्हणून मुळीच नाही ! दिलीच पाहिजे असे सांगायचे ! कसे देत नाहीत चोरटे ब्रिटीश द्यावीच लागेल.भवानी तलवारीचे गूढ<br />छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांची भवानी तलवार कुठे आहे, हा एक मोठा गूढ प्रश्न आहे. लोकमान्य टिळकांच्या काळापासून हा प्रश्न अधूनमधून चर्चेत येतोच, त्यावरून रान पेटते आणि मग तो पुन्हा बासनात जातो, असे घडताना दिसत आहे. इंग्लंडमध्ये बकिंगहॅम राजवाड्यात भवानी तलवार आहे, अशी एक समजूत आहे. लोकमान्य टिळकांनी ही तलवार इंग्लंडमधून परत आणण्यासाठी प्रयत्न करावेत, असे आवाहन करणारी एक कविता गोविंदाग्रजांनी (राम गणेश गडकरी) लिहिली होती. 1980मध्ये बॅ. अब्दुल रहमान अंतुले हे महाराष्ट्राचे मुख्यमंत्री असताना, तर त्यांनी भवानी तलवार महाराष्ट्रात आणणारच अशी घोषणा करून मोठी मौज केली होती. त्यासाठी त्यांनी लंडनवारीही केली होती. तिकडून त्यांनी भवानी तलवार नाही आणली, पण तिचे चित्र तथाकथित चित्र मात्र आणले. यानंतर भवानी तलवार पुन्हा चर्चेत आली ती केंद्रात भाजप आघाडीचे सरकार सत्तेवर आले तेव्हा. जून 2002मध्ये तत्कालीन केंद्रीय गृहमंत्री लालकृष्ण अडवानी स्पेनच्या पाच दिवसीय भेटीवर गेले होते. त्यावेळी स्पेनमधील काही संशोधकांनी सांगितले, की शिवाजी महाराजांची भवानी तलवार स्पेनमधील तोलेदो या शस्त्रास्त्रे निर्मितीसाठी नावाजलेल्या शहरातील कारागिरांनी तयार केली होती. त्यावरून काही काळ धुरळा उडाला. मग तो विरून गेला.<br /><br /> महाराजांकडे अनेक तलवारी होत्या. त्यातील एक त्यांनी शहाजीराजांनी दिली होती. तिचे नाव त्यांनी "तुळजा' असे ठेवले होते. महाराजांच्या दुसऱ्या एका तलवारीचे नाव "जगदंबा' असे होते. महाराज भवानीचे भक्त होते. तेव्हा अन्य एखाद्या तलवारीला त्यांनी "भवानी' असे नाव दिले असेल. यात काही वाद नाही. वाद आहे तो हा, की सध्या ही तलवार कुठे आहे?<br /><br />सुमारे नव्वदेक वर्षांपूर्वी मुंबईतील कॅप्टन बहादुर मोदी नावाच्या गृहस्थांनी भवानी तलवार आपल्याकडे असल्याचा दावा केला होता. तशी एक पुस्तिकाही त्यांनी प्रसिद्ध केली होती. त्यांच्या म्हणण्यानुसार, खान बहादुर पदमजी यांच्याकडे भवानी तलवार होती व ती त्यांनी डॉ. कूर्तकोटी यांना दिली. नंतर ती त्यांच्या स्वतःकडे आली. या तलवारीवर "छत्रपती शिवाजी' असे कोरलेले होते. नंतर उघडकीस आले, की तो मजकूर या पदमजी नावाच्या इसमानेच कोरलेला होता!<br /><br />इंदूर-महू येथे असलेली तलवार हीच भवानी तलवार आहे व ती महाराजांनी छत्रसाल बुंदेल्याला दिली होती, असा दावा काही वर्षांपूर्वी ज्येष्ठ इतिहाससंशोधक सेतुमाधवराव पगडी यांनी केला होता. परंतु त्या तलवारीवर नंतर छत्रसालाच्या सेनापतीचे नाव आढळून आले!<br /><br />असाच आणखी एक दावा केला जातो, की खेम सावंताकडून महाराजांना पोर्तुगीज बनावटीची तलवार मिळाली व तीच भवानी तलवार होय. वस्तुतः ही भाकडकथा आहे. खेम सावंत हा कोणी महाराजांचा एकनिष्ठ पाईक नव्हता. आदिलशाहीचा हा वतनदार, दगलबाज होता. महाराजांनी त्याचा बिमोड करण्यासाठी त्याच्या मुलखावर हल्ला केला होता. क्षणभर असे मानले, की शरणागती पत्करल्यानंतर त्याने महाराजांना जे नजराणे धाडले, त्यात ही पोर्तुगीज बनावटीची तलवारही होती, तरी महाराज त्या तलवारीवरील रोमन अक्षरे तशीच ठेवून तिला "भवानी' तलवार असे म्हणणार नाहीत.<br /><br />रियासतकारांच्या म्हणण्यानुसार, रायगड्या पाडावानंतर औरंगजेबाच्या हाती भवानी तलवार लागली. ती त्याने शाहू महाराजांना त्यांच्या विवाहप्रसंगी भेट दिली. याचा अर्थ असा होतो, की भवानी तलवार सातारच्या छत्रपतींकडे आहे. सध्या ती उदयराजे भोसले यांच्या ताब्यात आहे. 1974 साली बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांनी मुंबईत "शिवसृष्टी' प्रदर्शन भरविले होते. तेव्हा त्यांनी सातारच्या राजघराण्यातील तलवार भवानी तलवार असल्याचे सांगून मिरवली होती. परंतु ज्येष्ठ इतिहाससंशोधक ग. ह. खरे यांनी ही तलवार आधीच पाहिलेली होती. ती त्यावेळी त्यांनी बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांच्याबरोबर पुन्हा एकदा डोळ्यांखालून घातली. खरे यांनी पुरंदरे यांना त्यावरील कोरीव मजकूर दाखवून ही तलवार भवानी नव्हे असे स्पष्ट केले. त्या तलवारीवर "सरकार राजा शाहू छत्रपती कदिम' असा उल्लेख होता.<br /><br />1875 मध्ये इंग्लंडचे राजपूत्र, प्रिन्स ऑफ वेल्स सातवे एडवर्ड इकडे आले होते. त्यावेळी कोल्हापूरच्या शाहू छत्रपतींनी त्यांना कोल्हापूरच्या शस्त्रगारातील "तुळजा' व "जगदंबा' या दोन तलवारी नजर केल्या. यापैकी कोणतीही भवानी तलवार नव्हे. कोल्हापूरच्या राजघराण्याकडे अशी कोणती भवानी तलवार असती, तर ती त्यांच्या देवघरात पूजेत असती. ती त्यांनी कोणास नजराणा म्हणून दिली नसती. पण मुदलातच कोल्हापूर किंवा सातारा येथील राजघराण्यांच्या याद्यांमध्ये भवानी तलवारीचा उल्लेखही नाही.<br /><br />बकिंगहॅम राजवाड्यातील दोन्ही तलवारी पोतुगीज बनावटीच्या आहेत. इतिहासकार वा. सी. बेंद्रे, बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांनी त्या पाहून, त्यातील एकही भवानी तलवार नसल्याची खात्री दिली आहे. बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांना बकिंगहॅम राजवाडा व अन्य म्युझियम्समधील तलवारींची तपासणी करण्याची परवानगी नानासाहेब गोरे यांनी ते भारताचे इंग्लंडमधील हायकमिशनर असताना मिळवून दिली होती. त्या तलवारीवर अद्याप रोमन लिपीत "जे. एच.एस.' अशी अक्षरे आहेत. इतिहासकार ग. ह. खरे यांच्या मते, ती जीजस ह्युमॅनन साल्वादोर या पोर्तुगीज नावाची अद्याक्षरे आहेत. ब्रिटिश म्युझियमेच डेप्युटी कीपर डग्लस बॅरेट यांनी, इंग्लंडमधील कोणत्याही म्युझियममध्ये शिवाजी महाराजांची भवानी तलवार नाही, असे 1969 साली कळविले होते.<br /><br />भवानी तलवार कशी होती, हे कुणालाच माहित नाही. ग. ह. खरे सांगतात, ""भवानी तलवारीचे प्रमाणभूत वर्णन आजही उपलब्ध नाही. परमानंदाच्या शिवभारतात आणि हरि कविच्या शंभुराजचरित्रात हिचा निर्देश आला असला, तरी त्यात हिची लांबी, रुंदी, धार, मूठ, पाते, पोलाद, तीवरील चिन्हे, जडाव वगैरेचे काम इत्यादी तपशील दिलेला नाही. शिवाय परंपरागत अशीही माहिती उपलब्ध नाही. म्हणून आज एखाद्याने एखादी तलवार पुढे आणून ती "भवानी' असल्याचे सांगितले, तर त्याचे तोंड बंद करणे शक्य नाही. तरीही इतिहास हे पुराव्याचे शास्त्र असल्याने आणि असा पुरावा त्या व्यक्तीस देता येत नसल्याने तञ्ज्ञ त्याच्या शब्दास कधीच मान्यता दाखविणार नाहीत.'' <br />संदर्भ -<br />- इतिहास ः सत्य आणि आभास - निनाद बेडेकर, सत्याग्रही विचारधारा, दिवाळी 1998, पृ. 132-133.<br />- "भावनांशी खेळ नको!' (29-11-1980) व "पुन्हा एकदा भवानी' (8-12-1980) हे गोविंदराव तळवलकर यांचे "महाराष्ट्र टाइम्स'मधील अग्रलेख.<br />- Desperately Seeking ShivajiH$s Sword - Times of India, 2 Jul 2002.Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18226105213469983245noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277043640790717594.post-9268014976781587512008-02-02T02:17:00.000-08:002008-12-09T07:03:39.546-08:00The Sword of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">About Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj</span><br /><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOB2WtcdFPoXGuGshw-KkbtiJebCHpUwsPV2uBud5aMfW0vXgcNBF4FpVjNcgw4yzKIVv78l6ILfm44Gcn10OeRclD7Tgvkt50r-5eP0B2fW2Fr7WrNLpJxBchrvWcw5uU6IVPQ-3-zE/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOB2WtcdFPoXGuGshw-KkbtiJebCHpUwsPV2uBud5aMfW0vXgcNBF4FpVjNcgw4yzKIVv78l6ILfm44Gcn10OeRclD7Tgvkt50r-5eP0B2fW2Fr7WrNLpJxBchrvWcw5uU6IVPQ-3-zE/s400/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177087200214616658" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="justify">Chhatrapati Shivaji was the great warrior of 17th century, born in India. He started his mission to form a hindu kingdom (hindavi swarajya) in his early childhood, at the age of fifteen. In his life he captured & built about 350 hill forts & coastal forts. He also formed a strong navy to protect costal region of western India. Today he is called as the father of Indian navy.</p> <div align="justify">He brought revolution in traditional maratha weapons. This development was the only thing, which took Marathas to the victory<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exactly how was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja's Sword?</span></span><br /><br /><p class="style6"> </p> <p class="style6"><br /></p> <p class="style6"> </p> <p class="style6"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw534S-HxteqOxhSgkHeXoWWw5cbv5sle_3PpJhhG9NZ21ZC5RwSXwmg9DsU0ltduVUbnXw83nrjOn0va0BX1hB7k0HoWK__9rpW7xfzGlpG15aQYLgAxCOE8S8ZnL01Ofd233t5aaL-4/s1600-h/21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw534S-HxteqOxhSgkHeXoWWw5cbv5sle_3PpJhhG9NZ21ZC5RwSXwmg9DsU0ltduVUbnXw83nrjOn0va0BX1hB7k0HoWK__9rpW7xfzGlpG15aQYLgAxCOE8S8ZnL01Ofd233t5aaL-4/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177140951730326210" border="0" /></a></p><p class="style6"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtb3_wuUT5JPfFgK85vQVADoVLFQaK6U2nXASzpOw7YJ-IaNS9br3E8mCNh3xGYMCa0qz1KO_4QomU09EiHM9WZHhQpJZHOYv3u8m4j2S19-I-s5bghJUHfojNVAjFfeP2EoBheqLoec/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtb3_wuUT5JPfFgK85vQVADoVLFQaK6U2nXASzpOw7YJ-IaNS9br3E8mCNh3xGYMCa0qz1KO_4QomU09EiHM9WZHhQpJZHOYv3u8m4j2S19-I-s5bghJUHfojNVAjFfeP2EoBheqLoec/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177145641834613522" border="0" /></a></p> <div align="justify"> <p class="style6">Maratha Swords are developed by Chh. Shivaji Maharaj, Maratha Swords are not like other sowrds found in the world. It has a unique comfortable hilt with a unique pomel.</p><p class="style6"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-InyL1ajsYp_QYHTRpUI3B1NKnVXAk7HJSBP_ZyF1htVmTz9PkF2S7BfKI1Fuu5_Tr0iT-bJir15lsh_78Rgp1JmsUE8DBef6BQlf8Fa2xxfCb1bN5Elm6x8pZedXl5rM57I5auMTL2k/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-InyL1ajsYp_QYHTRpUI3B1NKnVXAk7HJSBP_ZyF1htVmTz9PkF2S7BfKI1Fuu5_Tr0iT-bJir15lsh_78Rgp1JmsUE8DBef6BQlf8Fa2xxfCb1bN5Elm6x8pZedXl5rM57I5auMTL2k/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177141282442808018" border="0" /></a> </p> </div><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD9znjU4DYhVgwC3WysiK_cNBa-RIH_U1ROxl03YpYryJX4q4hckcVrE-bgiEQF_2MlVjWbaJ_VbF5Wvr394M06-L0QbEGBb_zBpg63Lh49scrYyAxx0p4fmbQCbmTs71gRu8grCDXpc/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD9znjU4DYhVgwC3WysiK_cNBa-RIH_U1ROxl03YpYryJX4q4hckcVrE-bgiEQF_2MlVjWbaJ_VbF5Wvr394M06-L0QbEGBb_zBpg63Lh49scrYyAxx0p4fmbQCbmTs71gRu8grCDXpc/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177142291760122594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Was it been offered by Godess Bhavani?</span></span><br /><br /><p class="style6"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivZsxfaF5QpafRr_WZe78M3TzYlX-HKXGkjsRHzBza9a0Uw-_1cIXb0H-mMPaGr0eh2Qprz6dd8Bb0x5bvNfCfQFfEYh_ZzO4RnItEqfdDVjw2xFvKQgxx0DSLUA1fvWVa_YX3svn6rk/s1600-h/bhavani.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivZsxfaF5QpafRr_WZe78M3TzYlX-HKXGkjsRHzBza9a0Uw-_1cIXb0H-mMPaGr0eh2Qprz6dd8Bb0x5bvNfCfQFfEYh_ZzO4RnItEqfdDVjw2xFvKQgxx0DSLUA1fvWVa_YX3svn6rk/s400/bhavani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177082892362418754" border="0" /></a></p> <div align="justify"><span class="style6">It's a believed that the sword used by Shivaji Maharaj was presented by Godess Bhawani, but it is a mith. There is no any evidance found in historical records.<br /><br /></span><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How is it depicted in contemporary paintings & sculptures?<br /></span></span><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5AqvmIhYyzxWKac7LhQSjTp15tTfAKTEEbSiWyFz8oQnFRum4okWdORhPxjOwBUFRW8JDMTNCGcSvsZI4naOpsBxCSzuVLzSIwhCS1d2eDdipg-iFl-rBaX3SCXR4n0NwuAxg5AM5LI/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5AqvmIhYyzxWKac7LhQSjTp15tTfAKTEEbSiWyFz8oQnFRum4okWdORhPxjOwBUFRW8JDMTNCGcSvsZI4naOpsBxCSzuVLzSIwhCS1d2eDdipg-iFl-rBaX3SCXR4n0NwuAxg5AM5LI/s320/untitled.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177078532970613234" border="0" /></a></p> <table border="0" height="121" width="312"> <tbody><tr> <td height="117" valign="top"><p class="style6" align="justify">This is a famous contemporary painting of Shivaji Maharaj, now at Chh. Shivaji Vastu Sanghrahalay, Mumbai. </p> <p class="style6" align="justify">It is clearly seen that the sword held by Shivaji Maharaj is straight & hilt of the sword is of Maratha type. </p></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbiFM19OwrEA8Iz-5iNOAtJwZYqA1iiM55wa66xbLWZBeflKnmXLcbHRGpOaj8MfDFZu_0MSoNgOhVBJRgdbaOXwxEoQ7bIwdmD9DMRUunD16OHWmlbWAyT7HjzvGQ0srPvA8Du6H5g8/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbiFM19OwrEA8Iz-5iNOAtJwZYqA1iiM55wa66xbLWZBeflKnmXLcbHRGpOaj8MfDFZu_0MSoNgOhVBJRgdbaOXwxEoQ7bIwdmD9DMRUunD16OHWmlbWAyT7HjzvGQ0srPvA8Du6H5g8/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177079374784203266" border="0" /></a></p> <table border="0" height="121" width="312"> <tbody><tr> <td height="117" valign="top"><p class="style6" align="justify">This is a famous contemporary painting of Shivaji Maharaj, now at British Musium, London. </p> <p class="style6" align="justify">It is clearly seen that the sword held by Shivaji Maharaj is straight & hilt of the sword is of Maratha type. </p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQNwGfCnfmMqFE_MFpcuDNHOsF2cmPI_pLIRJbv6ZJqyoXz2rDnaBCx7lIAiCAA0Ogv5mhGo2zYHp35GF0fPPYuoXf5oDp_0xiXZFtNnI_GnDl9aec3Qh2kU4ZCJ54LQ_7hZJPz_h2pY/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQNwGfCnfmMqFE_MFpcuDNHOsF2cmPI_pLIRJbv6ZJqyoXz2rDnaBCx7lIAiCAA0Ogv5mhGo2zYHp35GF0fPPYuoXf5oDp_0xiXZFtNnI_GnDl9aec3Qh2kU4ZCJ54LQ_7hZJPz_h2pY/s400/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177080242367597074" border="0" /></a></p> <table border="0" height="123" width="312"> <tbody><tr> <td height="119" valign="top"><p class="style6" align="justify">This is a famous contemporary painting of Shivaji Maharaj, by Mir Mahmmad painted before 1688.</p> <p class="style6" align="justify">In this painting, the sword of Shivaji Maharaj is held by his Sardar which is marked above. The sword is of Maratha Type & straight. </p></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdk4Ck8tWTze2UGYcsF50sX9mgJnK_15l0PVkr1zbx-a6MEH5BGS1VP8d-knzjA7AtuHCJqu-0MSXJlVJFddBjyadEMWbV85naWXkZrNR2l0t5S3AI8TwhxptktvzvSb9DKOif7hUrsI/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdk4Ck8tWTze2UGYcsF50sX9mgJnK_15l0PVkr1zbx-a6MEH5BGS1VP8d-knzjA7AtuHCJqu-0MSXJlVJFddBjyadEMWbV85naWXkZrNR2l0t5S3AI8TwhxptktvzvSb9DKOif7hUrsI/s400/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177081328994322978" border="0" /></a></p> <table border="0" height="71" width="312"> <tbody><tr> <td height="67" valign="top"><p class="style6" align="justify">A contemporary stone sculpture at Yadwad, dist. Dharwad, karnataka in which Shivaji Maharaj is shown holding a sword which is straight & Maratha Type. </p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkIIUdWXwhWaRIMY2-L-D7iyazG0zrHB0ei82x0Y-OStZqLtUQ0ojY1vqKwZeNPekGzQzOwSXjmFbMl_bdrJ2gGpUMVlTZx3AQJhQXR50QhrmDlB8laZ-fgugSIU0fFjxgFDopnRw6mw/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkIIUdWXwhWaRIMY2-L-D7iyazG0zrHB0ei82x0Y-OStZqLtUQ0ojY1vqKwZeNPekGzQzOwSXjmFbMl_bdrJ2gGpUMVlTZx3AQJhQXR50QhrmDlB8laZ-fgugSIU0fFjxgFDopnRw6mw/s400/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177082299656931890" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="style6" align="justify">A contemporary stone sculpture at Shrishail Mallikarjun, Andhra Pradesh which clearly shows Shivaji Maharaj holding a sword which is straight.<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="style6"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style=""><span style="color:red;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">How do historical references & sources give us information about the sword?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="color:red;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b>A famous poet Jairam Pinde from Shivaji's father Shahaji's Royal court has written a famous Sanskrit poet 'Radha Madhav Vilas Champu' & 'Parnal Parvat Grahan Akhyan' are said to be the most authentic refrences of Maratha history in which he has mentioned description of Shahaji's sword which is later given by him to Shivaji Maharaj. (Refrance : Radha Madhav Vilas Champu, Page No. 99)</p><div class="style2" align="center"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="style6">(Shivaji Maharaja's Bakhar written by Chitragupta, Chitnis Bakhar, Shiv-Digvijay Bakhar, Historical records during Tarabai period)</p><p style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;" class="style6"><a href="http://swaraj.org.in/website/rct.htm"> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Shivaji's Sword in royal collection Trust,</span><st1:city style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city><b style=""><span style="color:red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;" class="style6"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4Zp_XoxHRA5V_sx35GorxvmiIv-t_C_tW6pHpovYvVs36gTLi8CIeT1_5fvk0LKM49WOG4X3YDJvqJnwwgCPPUOhhY4EzWQcJ6idBQKue6cIGM3J02ysnWjfeDYl4qwLyno9rDjOXqU/s1600-h/08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4Zp_XoxHRA5V_sx35GorxvmiIv-t_C_tW6pHpovYvVs36gTLi8CIeT1_5fvk0LKM49WOG4X3YDJvqJnwwgCPPUOhhY4EzWQcJ6idBQKue6cIGM3J02ysnWjfeDYl4qwLyno9rDjOXqU/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177142729846786802" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqf-Z8strxAwlFaf2ZBDwZtSCHCyT8Ao7hXrBSxBHscsBgCpEiA4YFkcazJ74Yed2Kgw4sKI8q7LL9yiK5vnsB1AUC6WdapInhMgmUJ0cT21tAU5L38xyboo-j5jD9jJUzuUK9E-VAS4/s1600-h/19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqf-Z8strxAwlFaf2ZBDwZtSCHCyT8Ao7hXrBSxBHscsBgCpEiA4YFkcazJ74Yed2Kgw4sKI8q7LL9yiK5vnsB1AUC6WdapInhMgmUJ0cT21tAU5L38xyboo-j5jD9jJUzuUK9E-VAS4/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177146109986048802" border="0" /></a></p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <div align="justify"> <p class="style6">One of the sword of Shivaji Maharaj is now in London, in Royal Collection Trust of Royal family of Britain. This sword was presented by Shivaji IV of Kolhapur to Prince of Wales in 1875 AD. </p> </div> </div><br /><h1 style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Royal Collection London<br /></span></h1>Address: Clarence House, St James's Palace, London, SW1 1BA<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflgdkBDt3VPRnCtVhyphenhyphenDihVjezcr8hkodE868_mo7lHazollkiZLmZ7JM5wrlhP3d0KdCfO6auQcvvv1haL7xEWC-rFPpbptXmMMAmYN7_AyGFoKu24uqSQ-rAOHSWW6Nfh-sD075_-1o/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflgdkBDt3VPRnCtVhyphenhyphenDihVjezcr8hkodE868_mo7lHazollkiZLmZ7JM5wrlhP3d0KdCfO6auQcvvv1haL7xEWC-rFPpbptXmMMAmYN7_AyGFoKu24uqSQ-rAOHSWW6Nfh-sD075_-1o/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162343730849937874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjAMmoumClJFCGHZ9Gc4zbu9VPWDq6ypSQJwl4cz-ikgCrAFPob7up-VK4q8w3LJf5Zo9po5ev7MVOlSPYA7XEH9zQLVL5ydwuaH6jiBce7A5iNHP1HzVOfXleYclZS1IGRkii8AU_Xc/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjAMmoumClJFCGHZ9Gc4zbu9VPWDq6ypSQJwl4cz-ikgCrAFPob7up-VK4q8w3LJf5Zo9po5ev7MVOlSPYA7XEH9zQLVL5ydwuaH6jiBce7A5iNHP1HzVOfXleYclZS1IGRkii8AU_Xc/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162343610590853570" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <p align="justify"> </p> </div> <div class="post-footer"> <p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-comment-link"> </span> <span class="post-icons"> </span> </p> </div> <div class="comments" id="comments"> <a name="comments"></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">King Edward VII when Prince of Wales</span><br /><br /></span><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92b3-dW1oF8girCrVTdDr3zq48WfQcr_MHykPl0Ubk05xqfb_wq1KXFsvQ7Be2l_d_bnuEorIDY1FCitlklRUxQV2QENM9HEhjvSDQwYFh3OMH1l31dVRH1brSQJ3dgdKsB_s3w1zswc/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92b3-dW1oF8girCrVTdDr3zq48WfQcr_MHykPl0Ubk05xqfb_wq1KXFsvQ7Be2l_d_bnuEorIDY1FCitlklRUxQV2QENM9HEhjvSDQwYFh3OMH1l31dVRH1brSQJ3dgdKsB_s3w1zswc/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177143266717698818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="padding-left: 24px;"><strong>Born: 1841<br />Died: 1910<br />Reigned: 1901 -10</strong></div> <div><ul><li>Eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert</li><li>In 1863 married Princess Alexandra of Denmark; their second son succeeded as King George V after the death of the eldest son, the Duke of Clarence, in 1892</li><li>The first member of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha dynasty</li><li>Presented with jewelled arms and armour on his visit to India (on behalf of Queen Victoria) in 1875-6</li><li>Commissioned Alfred Gilbert to create the Art Nouveau tomb at Windsor for the Duke of Clarence </li><li>As Prince of Wales lived chiefly at Marlborough House, London and at Sandringham House, Norfolk (purchased in 1862 and soon rebuilt)</li><li>After his accession initiated a major refurbishment and redecoration project at Buckingham Palace</li><li>Gave Osborne House and its estate to the nation in 1902</li><li>Commissioned many items from Fabergé as gifts for Queen Alexandra, including models of animals at Sandringham</li></ul></div> </div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18226105213469983245noreply@blogger.com105tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277043640790717594.post-47823897364256440272008-02-02T02:00:00.000-08:002016-04-22T19:35:57.193-07:00IN SEARCH OF TIGER CLAWS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
एक कहे कल्पद्रुम है, इमि पूरत है सबकी चितचाहे ।<br />
एक कहे अवतार मनोज, की यो तनमे अति सुंदरता है ।<br />
भुषण एक कहे महि इंदु यो, राजविराजत बाढयौ महा है ।<br />
एक कहे नरसिंह है संगर, एक कहे नरसिंह सिवा है ॥<br />
- कविराज भुषण<br />
<br />
अर्थ :-<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
यास कोणी कल्पवृक्ष म्हणतात, कारण हा सर्वांचे मनोरथ पूर्ण करतो.<br />
हा सौंदर्यसंपन्न असल्याने कोणी याला मदनाचा अवतार म्हणतात.<br />
भुषण याला पृथ्वीवरचा चंद्र म्हणतो, कारण याचे राज्य कलेकलेने वाढत आहे.<br />
कोणी याच्या युद्धातील पराक्रमामुळे यास सिंह म्हणतात तर कोणी प्रत्यक्ष नृसिंह भगवानच समजतात.<br />
कारण ज्याप्रमाने नरसिंहाने हिरण्यकशपुचे पोट फाडले तद्वातच शिवरायांनी आपल्या वाघनखांनी अफजलखानाची आतडी काढली.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJNUUW6l02LcT0tgP4jW_osb_r4_0sD-GX7lBWHERACPCIQlzFrTW5sgwupg29A98msERRtxdc-yQ5cIr9FElHMM4RP1IrCRFIUtVUhMmka_CV3BJa5G6Y4mycVf5Yv-05foj1eAR8f4/s1600-h/14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177147020519115570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJNUUW6l02LcT0tgP4jW_osb_r4_0sD-GX7lBWHERACPCIQlzFrTW5sgwupg29A98msERRtxdc-yQ5cIr9FElHMM4RP1IrCRFIUtVUhMmka_CV3BJa5G6Y4mycVf5Yv-05foj1eAR8f4/s400/14.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAMnPL5qpO6Ro1SygpGvgkA3LquOw6NHi1Jie3iKeYIn6_jcM_1d9GIZ2aEVefOeaQCl6Gv_aX_3KRuHxqBknVHLOm3LIji-Vb5DumZ7pyDte6YnVP7p5N3z1xXYnXeZyEDVe6BRM2YM/s1600-h/15.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177147299691989826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAMnPL5qpO6Ro1SygpGvgkA3LquOw6NHi1Jie3iKeYIn6_jcM_1d9GIZ2aEVefOeaQCl6Gv_aX_3KRuHxqBknVHLOm3LIji-Vb5DumZ7pyDte6YnVP7p5N3z1xXYnXeZyEDVe6BRM2YM/s400/15.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNM0aiCPggR9i-j8EEA7jL77K9JjrPeHJQiAcVHPIwBoM6HiiJnrSBnj6gPJCQmbp6fOkUn7lCwPmIHqHrtSdsWdWvZRZl_uNqfRec1pF-P4g9SPmbqjDEh6RQGet_AbOyGSSjWy99JE/s1600-h/18.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177147952527018850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNM0aiCPggR9i-j8EEA7jL77K9JjrPeHJQiAcVHPIwBoM6HiiJnrSBnj6gPJCQmbp6fOkUn7lCwPmIHqHrtSdsWdWvZRZl_uNqfRec1pF-P4g9SPmbqjDEh6RQGet_AbOyGSSjWy99JE/s400/18.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<span style="color: navy; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0);">This is my enquiry about Tiger claws </span>. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-size: 100%;">Tiger Claws of Shivaji Maharaj is now in </span><span style="color: rgb(255 , 102 , 0); font-size: 100%;">Victoria and Albert Museum London</span><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-size: 100%;">.</span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="gmail_quote">
Dear Deepak,<br />
<br />
Thank you for your e-mail.<br />
<br />
The piece you have enquired about is not in display in the galleries<br />
but is in storage. I have had a look throught the records and found the<br />
following details - apologies that they are quite brief:<br />
<br />
Tiger claws or 'bagh nakh'. An assassin's weapon composed of five<br />
curved hooks resembling claws attached to a bar with ring ends through<br />
which the first and little fingers are passed. Thus held it can be<br />
concelaed in the palm of the hand. Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 19th<br />
century.<br />
<br />
I hope that is of some help.<br />
<br />
Best regards,<br />
<br />
Melissa Appel<br />
Asian Department<br />
<br />
Please note that although V&A staff are pleased to answer enquiries<br />
whenever possible, they cannot accept any legal or other responsibility<br />
for any opinion expressed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table class="infobox vcard" style="font-size: 90%; text-align: left; width: 24em;"><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="font-size: 120%; text-align: center;"><b>The Victoria and Albert Museum</b></th> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><div class="center">
<div class="floatnone">
<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Facade.7.jpg" title="Facade.7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Facade.7.jpg/250px-Facade.7.jpg" height="188" width="250" /></a></div>
</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <th>Established</th> <td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1852</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <th>Location</th> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwell_Gardens" title="Cromwell Gardens"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London" title="London"> </a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place><st1:placename>Cromwell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Gardens</st1:placetype></st1:place>, <st1:place>South Kensington</st1:place>, <st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <th>Collection size</th> <td>4.6 million objects</td> </tr>
<tr> <th>Museum area</th> <td>12.5 acres / 145 galleries</td> </tr>
<tr> <th><br /></th> <td><br /></td> </tr>
<tr> <th>Director</th> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Jones_%28museum_director%29" title="Mark Jones (museum director)"> </a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark Jones</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <th>Nearest tube station(s)</th> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Kensington_tube_station" title="South Kensington tube station"> </a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place>South Kensington</st1:place><b><i><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <th>Website</th> <td><a class="external text" href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.vam.ac.uk/">www.vam.ac.uk</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span class="storyhead" style="color: blue; font-size: 130%;"><b>Tipu's sword is Mallya's</b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsX70NWoJpknGuGrGRU32YIR50L90R4obyQ9TORWgcAoex7uryDW0jP5gamzMLjji8IuLUjzByRZ-g8w8Atw-UumAEvBEQawjA6UIDWP10gLn-B7FklNtLihSVLqu5FKczuhrxLGI504/s1600-h/tipu.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163832241960679938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsX70NWoJpknGuGrGRU32YIR50L90R4obyQ9TORWgcAoex7uryDW0jP5gamzMLjji8IuLUjzByRZ-g8w8Atw-UumAEvBEQawjA6UIDWP10gLn-B7FklNtLihSVLqu5FKczuhrxLGI504/s400/tipu.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<center>
<br /><br /><b>The working president of the Janata Party and United Breweries Chairman, Vijay Mallya, poses with the legendary sword of Tipu Sultan in Bangalore on Wednesday. Mr. Mallya had bought it at an auction in London last September for Rs. 1.5 crores. — AP </b></center>
<div align="justify">
BANGALORE, APRIL 7. The legendary sword last used by Tipu Sultan is back in Karnataka, 205 years after the British invaders took it as a battle trophy after the `Tiger of Mysore' fell in battle at Srirangapatna on May 4, 1799. </div>
<div align="justify">
Vijay Mallya, Rajya Sabha MP, displayed the sword before mediapersons here on Wednesday and announced that he was the `mysterious person' who bought the sword at an auction in London in September 2003. </div>
<div align="justify">
"The sword reached Bangalore just ten days ago... I paid close to Rs 1.50 crores at the auction. Since the sword is of Indian origin, there was no Customs duty to pay," he said. </div>
<div align="justify">
The liquor baron-turned-politician said that acquiring the sword, paying for it from his personal funds, was a matter of prestige for him and that he was "restoring Karnataka's pride.'' </div>
<div align="justify">
The sword would remain in his custody except during the weeklong anniversary celebrations of Tipu next month when it would be kept for public display at Srirangapatna near Mysore, which was Tipu's capital. </div>
<div align="justify">
"It will probably be in a bank vault the rest of the time," he added. </div>
<div align="justify">
Considering the instance of Tagore's Nobel Prize medal going missing, he did not want to take any chances with the precious object. </div>
<div align="justify">
Present along with the flamboyant Mr. Mallya at the press conference were the traditional guardians of the Ajmer Dargah Sharief, Sahebzada Sayed Mohammed Ilyas Mian and his son Sahebzada Sayed Mohammed Ayaz Mian. </div>
<div align="justify">
Mr. Mallya explained that he had sought the blessings of the Sufi saint Khwaja Gharib Nawaz at Ajmer before entering the world of politics. </div>
<div align="justify">
The guardians of the dargah said that Tipu was known as much for his benevolence and tolerance as the valour he showed in battles against the British. </div>
<div align="justify">
The calligraphy on the sword vouchsafes for its provenance. On the border of the 36-inch-long steel blade is the following inscription: "The Sword of Tipu Sultan found after Srirangapatnam was taken by Storm on 4th May 1799 and presented by the Army to Major General Baird through their Commander Lieut. General Harris, as a token of their high opinion of his Courage and Conduct in the assault which he commanded and in which Tipu Sultan was slain." The hilt has Arabic inscriptions in praise of the Almighty. </div>
<div align="justify">
The overall length of the sword is 42 inches. The polished bright steel hilt and the pommel, and the convex pommel cap fitted with a gold loop, form a part of the sword. The scabbard is of velvet with silver gilt. The straight blade with a double-edged point is inlaid in gold with the `orb and parasol' mark ascribed by some historians to imperial Mughal swordsmiths. </div>
<div align="justify">
The presence of such swords in Mughal paintings, where they are shown as being worn by courtiers or gifted by the emperor, would explain the status of the sword and its probable Mughal-era manufacture. The inscription on the sword, `Samsir-al Malik,' indicates its princely association. </div>
<div align="justify">
Mr. Mallya said that the sword was among the objects auctioned by the descendants of General Baird to whom it was originally presented after the battle. </div>
<div align="justify">
<span class="subsectionhead" style="color: red; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
The timing of Mr. Mallya's announcement of his acquisition made some six months ago has not gone unnoticed, coming as it does a fortnight before the first phase of polling in Karnataka. </div>
<div align="justify">
However, the working president of the Janata Party said: "This is not political. It's personal." </div>
<div align="justify">
Mr. Mallya's party has fielded candidates in more than a hundred Assembly constituencies and half-a-dozen Lok Sabha constituencies in the coming elections in Karnataka. </div>
<div align="justify">
He described the sword as a unique piece of history and said that he bought it as a `proud Kannadiga' in order to restore the `rightful legacy' to Karnataka. </div>
<br />
<br />
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</div>
Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18226105213469983245noreply@blogger.com25