Bichwa No Chilanum Not!

[archer]

This is a Khawah according to Elgood and apparently is rare in this guard form.

Awhile back, this was incorrectly listed on E Bay as a Bichwa. (probably from Eggertons having misnamed it a Bichawa. I had bid, but, lost it. Really kicked myself when I found a similar whole steel dagger on Artzis site.
I almost broke the Buy it now button on my PC screen this weekend,
when a second chance came up.


Unlike the Chilanum, there is only a single curve to the blade. The blade tip is reinforced usually found usually a Northern feature.
The knucklebow extending from the guard rather than the pommel is the rarity.
It's from the Mughal Courts of Akbar & Jahangir 16th thru 17th century. Pant Says the name Khawah comes from finisher, giver pf the coup de gras. See Elgood page 163.

[Atlantia]

Hi Archer,
Well if nobody else is going to comment, I will!
Its a lovely dagger. I wouldn't be suprised it if had a wootz blade either.
Very nice indeed. Congratulations.
Gene

[archer]

Thank you Gene, I thought since I had most of the info, I would try and be informative. It's a cousin to the Chilanum. As Lew would say "feeling like chopped liver". I'll be doing cartwheels if it's also wootz.

Steve

[VANDOO]

CONGRADULATIONS, A VERY ATTRACTIVE DAGGER, I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE BALL WITH THE SWIRLED PATTERN IN THE CENTER OF THE GRIP. YOUR EXAMPLE IS NICER THAN THE OTHER EXAMPLE PICTURED. I ASSUME THE HAND THAT WOULD HOLD THE GRIP WOULD BE SMALL. WERE THESE WORN CONCEALED OR IN THE OPEN AND HOW WERE THEY USED ( FOR SLASHING PRIMARILY OR FOR STABBING) I KNOW NOTHING OF THESE BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE. :D

[archer]

Vandoo, I don't have it yet but, I'm sure your right, these daggers don't
have large grips. It was used primarily to finish off wounded foes.
So far, All the representations I've seen were tucked into a sash most
were bare bladed some had sheaths. Thank you, Steve

[archer]

After a good soap and water clean up. I saw that although it is all steel, blade and hilt are actually two pieces. The blade has a pronounced twist on the top edge. Still looking for photos of this hilt type.