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Raghuji Bhonsle’s 18th-Century Sword Returns to Mumbai, Unveiled by CM Fadnavis Ahead of Weeklong Public Display

A government purchase in London brought the rare Maratha firangi back into public custody.

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The sword was unveiled at the Ravindra Natya Mandir on Monday and will be kept there on display till August 25.
Sword of Maratha commander Raghuji Bhonsle returns to Mumbai, to be unveiled at exhibition

Overview

  • The sword landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport around 10 a.m. on August 18 and was placed in custody at the P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy in Prabhadevi.
  • A planned motorbike escort from the airport was canceled because of heavy rain and traffic, though the evening program went ahead as scheduled.
  • Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the weapon at the “Sena Saheb Subha Parakram Darshan” ceremony, with Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar and descendant Shrimant Mudhoji Raje Bhonsle in attendance.
  • A free public exhibition runs August 19–25 at the academy’s art gallery (11 a.m.–7 p.m.) and also features displays on twelve heritage forts.
  • The 18th-century Maratha firangi—inscribed in Devanagari to Raghuji Bhonsle and fitted with a European blade—was purchased at a Sotheby’s London auction for Rs 47.15 lakh, with an intermediary and the Indian embassy assisting legal repatriation; historians say it may have left India after the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi.