Bhonsle Royal Appeals for Government Intervention to Halt Auction of Historic Sword in London

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In a crucial effort to safeguard Nagpur’s heritage, Shrimant Dr. Mudhoji Raje Bhonsle has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, urging immediate action to halt the auction of a historically significant sword linked to Raje Raghuji Bhonsle I, the founder of the Nagpur Bhonsle kingdom.

The auction, set to be conducted by Sotheby’s in London, is scheduled to commence at 3 PM IST on April 29. In his letter, Dr. Bhonsle highlighted the cultural and emotional significance of the artifact, calling for prompt intervention from both the Central and State governments. “The government should take the initiative and intervene to stop the auction so that the sword can be brought back to the city,” he stated.Sources at the Senior Bhonsla Palace have confirmed that while Shrimant Dr. Mudhoji Raje Bhonsle will not be participating personally, two of his representatives are preparing to bid on his behalf to reclaim the heirloom.

The item in question—a Basket-Hilt Sword (Khanda)—is inscribed in Devanagari script, indicating its ownership by Raje Raghuji Bhonsle I. The engraving also refers to him as “Sena Saheb Subha,” emphasizing the sword’s historical importance.Initially valued between £6,000 and £8,000 (approximately ₹7 to ₹9 lakh), recent updates on Sotheby’s website show that the bid has now surged to £11,000, reflecting increased interest from collectors.This appeal has sparked a wave of local sentiment, with historians and cultural advocates rallying behind the call for the sword’s return, framing it as a matter of regional pride and historical preservation.