Overview

• The Maharashtra government purchased the 18th-century sword of Maratha general Raghuji Bhonsle for ₹47.15 lakh through an intermediary at a Sotheby’s auction in London.
• The sword, featuring a European-style blade with Devanagari inlay, fetched £38,100, significantly exceeding its pre-auction estimate of £6,000–£8,000.
• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Culture Minister Ashish Shelar coordinated efforts to secure the artifact, marking a milestone in cultural preservation.
• This is the first time Maharashtra has repatriated a culturally significant artifact through an international auction, underlining a broader effort to reclaim heritage.
• The sword will be transported back to India, with assurances from the government to conserve and showcase the artifact as part of Maratha history.