Maharashtra has adopted a new emblem of pride based on Maratha warriors. The state declared the dand patta, a gauntlet sword, as its official weapon on Monday, February 19. This was announced by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at an event commemorating the birth anniversary of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The decision to adopt the dand patta was not made lightly. The Minister of Cultural Affairs, Sudhir Mungantiwar, explained that the choice was based on historical research. The Maratha kingdom, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his commanders, frequently used the dand patta.
The dand patta is a four-foot-long, double-edged sword. Its unique feature is a gauntlet that serves as a hand guard. This weapon was created in mediaeval India and was a common sight on the battlefields of the 17th and 18th centuries, during the rise of the Maratha kingdom.
The dand patta has been immortalised in many artworks depicting Shivaji. Notable instances of its use include Jiva Mahala severing Sayyad Banda's arm during an attack on Shivaji by Afzal Khan, the commander of Adil Shah from Bijapur. Baji Prabhu Deshpande, another commander of Shivaji, reportedly used a dand patta to fend off Siddi Johar's troops.
Since taking on the role of minister for cultural affairs for Maharashtra, Mungantiwar has designated Silver Pomfret as the state fish and Garja Maharashtra Majha as the state song.
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