Termites, seepage damage artefacts as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar museum faces funds and staff crunch

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nov 19 (PTI) Water seepage and termites have cost a museum in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar many of its prized relics, as the establishment, managed by the municipal corporation, is grappling with a lack of funds and staff crunch.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, home to nearly 3,000 antiquities dating back to the Satavahana period, sees at least 40,000 visitors annually.

With upkeep stalled, museum officials are now removing exhibits from display to save them from damage, an official said.

The local civic body set up the museum after history scholar Dr Shantilal Purvar donated the collection in 1999.

It houses relics such as Satavahana coins and the only painting of Maratha commander Ibrahim Khan Gardi, who played a key role in the 3rd Battl