Nagpur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday assured that the historic sword of Raghuji Maharaj Bhonsle will soon be brought to Nagpur, stating that the date of its arrival would be finalised in consultation with the royal family. He made the announcement while addressing the Raj Ratna Award distribution ceremony at Senior Bhonsle Palace, drawing loud applause from the audience.Confirming this to TOI after the event, Fadnavis said, “I had already made this promise. The sword is currently in Mumbai, and we will bring it to Nagpur very soon.”Earlier, a light-hearted moment unfolded at the palace during Fadnavis’s speech, when Mudhoji Bhonsle walked up, seemingly to remind the CM about the long-awaited sword. Without turning back, Fadnavis paused and said, “I know why Mudhoji has come here. He has come to remind me when the sword of Raghuji Maharaj Bhonsle will come to Nagpur. You decide the date — the sword will come to Nagpur on that date. I promise you.”The assurance assumes significance as the sword returned to India in August last year after being purchased at an auction in London in April. Members of the Nagpurkar Bhonsle family, along with citizens of Nagpur, have since been awaiting its arrival in the city. Sources at the Bhonsle Palace said the royal family is keen to finalise the earliest possible date, likely in March, following the CM’s public assurance. However, they added that the final decision will be taken only after confirming the schedule with Fadnavis.In his address, Fadnavis recalled how Raghuji Maharaj expanded Hindavi Swarajya eastwards into present-day Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Bengal. He said the Nagpurkar Bhonsles played a significant role in reviving and sustaining traditions at the historic Jagannath Temple in Puri after periods of disruption. He also noted that artefacts and memories linked to the Bhonsle family are preserved in museums in Odisha, underscoring the enduring historical ties between Nagpur and the eastern region.Describing the Raj Ratna Award as an honour rooted in royal legacy, Fadnavis said recognitions conferred by the Nagpurkar Bhonsle family carry deep historical significance. He congratulated awardees from fields including sports, literature, arts, and social service.The event was attended by Sampatiya Uikey, Madhya Pradesh’s Public Health Engineering Minister, Shrimant Raje Raghuji Bhonsle (Pancham), and Shrimant Raje Mudhoji Bhonsle, among others. The ceremony was presided over by Gurumauli Annasaheb More, a renowned spiritual leader and head of the Dindori Praneet Shree Swami Samarth Seva Marg.
