Axe head identification?

[capt.smash]

Hi guys just aquired this interesting Axe head can anyone tell me anything about it ,the writeing on it looks indian,ish to me and the flanged part at the rear of the axe looks vaguely like elephant heads? also note that its hollow inside this part?ceremonial? [the blade is 9 1/2" across].any comments welcome. :)

[Battara]

I'm leaning Indo-Persian. Perhaps more Persian, say, Qajar period?

[capt.smash]

yeah haveing looked around definately persian however the qajar period is from 1779-1925 so dosent narrow it down much ;) this one is described as 18th/19th century and is quite similar...it seems that it would originaly have had a spike on the top with a metal shaft.I would love to know what the faded writeing on mine says..can you translate any of it from the pictures?

[tom hyle]

I wonder if a plume or banner or something was once attached inside that open back end.

[capt.smash]

Yeah i get the same impresion...anybody help on this ..have you seen a similar one ? :)

[Battara]

So far, the ones I have seen from Persia and India have not had any flad, standard, or cloth on them.