HL Deb 20 January 1981 vol 416 c413WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What decision they have made in response to the request of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra that the sword of Shivaji, historic as a symbol of resistance to British and Mogul occupations, should be returned to India.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Carrington)

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra during a visit in December last made oral requests for return of a sword which is in the Royal Collection. He was informed that if the Government of India wished to request its return, they should make a formal approach in writing to the Lord Chamberlain which could then be considered. No such formal application has yet been received.