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Originally Posted by CharlesS
Jim,
Why do you say "kirach" here? I don't see it, at least not one along traditional lines.
Just curious.
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Quid pro quo, I was wondering what made you think it was a patissa
In the nebulous world of sword nomenclature and terminology, especially in India, the 'pattisa' ranks in the top ten mysterious contenders.
While Rawson completely overlooks the term, and puts all of these with 'khandas', Pant clarifies (?) by noting these are from South India and double edge, with the flared 'spatulate' tip. Typically these are in the Hindu baskethilt type mounts with the long seatings central on the blade nearly to mid point. The broadsword 'pattisa' is extremely flexible blade, and with the spatulate tip, is probably in some degree associated with the sword techniques favored by Mahrattas, slashing cuts. This is much the same as seen in Omani swordplay, with the kattara broadswords.
Many of these are from Malabar, the western coastal Indian regions with considerable Arab colonization and trade.
This example seems to be 19th century, and with the silverwork of the Bidri type (from Kerala regions originally but dispersed into Rajasthan, this may be Deccani).
The blade tip on this single edged sword, in which the curve is ever so slight, has what may best be described as a 'classical' type point, reflecting varied much earlier swords that are single edged, some of them even with a diamond 'lozenge' type point (Ajanta). Some of the spear tip angular points are termed 'shilagra' in Sanskrit.
The term 'kirach' is typically used for the straight blade tulwar, whose single edged blade is noted often as 'almost' straight.
Thanks for the opportunity to discuss, nice sword!!!