These resemble the more common Tulwar pommels and finials seen on South Indian daggers and Tanjore katar.
I personally would suggest they remain as part of a fastening system for the inner padding now missing as these Khanda hilts typically have half a dozen holes where fabric ties or ties such as these would have been.
I might add the small backing plates that these lobes sit on are akin to decoration seen on Khanjarli and other Indian weapons, or at least those I have bought, sold or traded.
My 2 cents.
Gavin
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