Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday inaugurated the seven-day exhibition where the newly obtained sword of Maratha commander Shrimant Raje Raghuji Bhonsle will be exhibited.The exhibition will be held at the PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Prabhadevi, from Aug 18 to 25. Thereafter, it will travel across Maharashtra and be displayed.The sword was bought by the state govt in an auction in London at a cost of Rs 45 crore last week. State culture minister Ashish Shelar went to London to get it and returned with it on Monday morning. Since the city was lashed by heavy rainfall and the subsequent traffic congestion, the planned bike rally to welcome the sword back to India was cancelled. It arrived in Shelar’s car at the academy.“The sword will link the new generation to history. This sword will travel to Nagpur and other places and tell the new generation how Hindavi Swaraj spread and expanded,” said Fadnavis at the inauguration, adding that the history of the Nagpur Bhonsles was one of exemplary valour. “Through the 12 forts being listed as UNESCO heritage sites, the tiger’s nails (wagh nakh) and now the sword we are being linked to our history and these efforts are truly commendable,” said Fadnavis.The efforts to get back the symbols of the Maratha Empire, artefacts and heritage will continue, said Fadnavis. PM Narendra Modi had got back thousands of artefacts and similar efforts will be made by the state govt to bring back the state’s heritage, said the chief minisiter.
