On April 29, 2025, the Maharashtra government purchased the legendary sword of Raghuji Bhosale I at a London auction for ₹47.15 lakh. This firangi-style weapon, symbolic of Maratha power and history, marks a significant cultural repatriation effort.

BulletsIn

• Sword belonged to Raghuji Bhosale I, Maratha warrior and Nagpur Bhosale dynasty founder
• Bought by Maharashtra govt for ₹47.15 lakh at London auction
• Weapon is firangi-style, single-edged blade with gold inlays, Devanagari inscription
• Inscribed: “Shrimant Raghuji Bhosale Sena Saheb Subah Firang”
• Likely gifted by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj after Bhosale earned military title
• Historic link to Maratha expansion in Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Bengal
• Sword possibly looted after 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi by British forces
• Bhonsle palace was burned, treasures taken by East India Company
• Sword’s return seen as reclaiming Maratha heritage and pride
• Nagpur Bhosales trace ancestry to Sisodia Rajputs of Udaipur