Friday, June 10 2005 17:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: An Indian barrister today (Jun 10, 2005) presented a petition to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II seeking return of the 350-year-old sword of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji to India, saying it is a symbol of the country's rich cultural heritage.

The sword was presented as a "gift" to the Prince of Wales, Edwards VII, during his visit to India in November 1875 by the then Maharaja of Kolapore.

In his petition presented to the Queen on the eve of her birthday, Bhasker Ghorpade, a London-based Indian lawyer, said "Shivaji sword is India's major cultural heritage of historic importance and of emotional value to the people of the country and in particular the people of Maharashtra."

"If returned, the sword which is with the Queen in the Royal Collection, will be safely preserved by the authorities in India and can be viewed by millions of Indians and also by visitors to India," Ghorpade said.

Ghorpade came to limelight as India's counsel when he won the famous Nataraja idol case after an 11-year legal battle and was successful in retrieving the idol for the country.