In a momentous announcement, Sudhir Mungantiwar, the Cultural Affairs Minister of Maharashtra, declared the ‘Dandapatta’ as the state weapon on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation.
The Dandapatta, distinguished by a sword with an integrated gauntlet serving as a handguard, has been an integral part of Maratha warfare. Mungantiwar emphasized the historical significance of the Dandapatta and deemed it crucial to highlight its importance. Maharashtra stands as the first state in India to accord the status of state weapon to the Dandapatta.
The declaration was approved by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during the Shivaji Jayanti celebration at the Agra fort. The event was attended by Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, along with Sudhir Mungantiwar. This decision serves as a tribute to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and acknowledges the pivotal role of the Dandapatta in Maratha’s military history.
