Syllabus:
GS 1: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Context:
Recently, the Maharashtra government reclaimed the iconic sword of Maratha warrior Raje Raghuji Bhonsle I for Rs 47.15 lakh at an auction held in London.
Key features of the Sword:
- The basket-hilt sword has a European-style blade that is slightly curved and sharp on one side along with two long grooves running along its length.
- The spine of the sword is inlaid in a gold inlay with an inscription in Devanagari script which reads “Shrimant Raghuji Bhosale Sena Saheb Subah Firang” which suggests that the sword may have been used for ceremonial purposes.
- Sena Saheb Subah refers to a title of high military rank that was associated with the Maratha Empire and would be usually conferred by the Chhatrapatis of Satara. The person receiving the title would also get a sword and robe.
- This particular sword is likely a gift from Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj to Raghuji Raje Bhonsle who was conferred with the title of Sena Saheb Subah.
- After the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi, in which the East India Company under General Sir Alexander Campbel defeated the Nagpur Bhonsles, the British looted the Bhonsle treasury.
- Experts believe that this sword was either part of the war loot taken by the British after the battle or possibly a gift given to them following their victory.
- It was the same time when the Holkars were defeated in the battle of Mahidpur.
Raghuji Raje Bhonsle I
- He was an important figure in 18th-century Maratha history whose power was shaped by both family conflict and strategic alliances.
- Backed by Chhatrapati Shahu in 1728, he not only challenged his uncle Kanhoji but also began building his own legacy by gaining titles, land and tax rights in Berar and Gondawana.
- His major breakthrough came in 1730 with a decisive win after the siege of Bham in which he firmly established his leadership and set the stage for the rise of the Bhonsle dynasty in Nagpur.
- He expanded the Maratha empire to Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- He had special focus on Bengal where he led military campaigns from 1745 and 1755. It was initially Raghuji Bhonsle I who raided Odisha and Bengal and reclaimed the temples.
- In the latter half of the 18th century, as Mughal power declined and the Marathas expanded their influence, Raghuji Bhonsle I played a central role in bringing Odisha under Maratha control.
- This began with the treaty of 1751 with Nawab Alivardi Khan which marked the start of Maratha administration in the region, including over the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
- After taking charge of region, Raghuji Bhonsle I worked to revive the temple’s religious and cultural life by appointed priests and starting daily rituals.
- His mother also introduced the offering of Mohan Bhog.
- He also granted land revenue worth Rs 27,000 (known as the Satais Hazari Mahal) to support the temple.
- He also conducted the grand annual yatra and launched the Annachhatra food charity scheme along with improved roads linking Puri with other parts of the country.
- His efforts restored the temple’s spiritual importance and turned it into a major centre of Hindu devotion once again.