TIGER'S CLAW (BAGH NAKH)

TIGER’S CLAW (BAGH NAKH).

INTRODUCTION. The Bagh nakh or Vagh nakhya is a “first-load, claw-like” weapon, originating from the Indian subcontinent, designed to fit over the knuckles or be concealed under and against the palm..

DESIGN. The Bagh nakh consists of four or five curved blades affixed to a crossbar or glove, and is designed to slash through skin and muscle. It is believed to have been inspired by the armament of big cats, and the term bagh nakh itself means tiger’s claw in Hindi..

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. The most well known usage of the bagh nakh was by the first Maratha leader Chattrapati Shivaji who used a bichuwa and bagh nakh to kill the Bijapur general Afzal Khan . Poisoned bagh nakh had been used by the Rajput clans for assassinations..

ORIGINAL BAGH NAKH OF SHIVAJI MAHARAJA. HOUSED IN VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM OF LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.

DESTINY OF SHIVAJI’S BAGH NAKH. Shivaji’s “wagh nakh” was with his descendants in the Satara court. After fall of Maratha empire, Grand Duff (the political representative of East India Company) in the court of Satara befriended Pratap Singh and took it from him. Duff served in the court from 1818 to 1824, after which he took it to Britain with him, afterwards his descendants donated the weapon to the Victoria and Albert Museum..