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Jim McDougall · 23rd August 2025, 08:42 PM

It is very exciting to see this old tulwar which is characteristic of these northern forms, and likely from latter 18th century, quite possibly earlier. The open hilt was contemporary with those with knuckle guards seen on Mughal tulwar forms of these periods through the next century.

While I may be going out on a limb here, I am inclined to think this may be a Sindhi form possibly of the Balochi Talpur dynasty. The aperture at center of guard was a method of fixation known in these northern swords associated with Afghanistan, and this was a vassal state to the Durrani Empire on Afghanstan. Also, this may be a Mughal example from Delhi regions in the same period.

Without getting further into the geo political complexities, the character of this tulwar corresponds to features of the Afghan weapons and the northern hilt styles .With the blade this appears to be a compelling version of much earlier blade forms which came from late 16th century Italian storta, having to do with the widened tip (yelman). This was of course a Turkic affinity, which was adopted by western blademakers, especially in Styria, who supplied Eastern Europes cutlers.

Those markings on the blade correspond to the twig/marca mosca type in the one nearest the forte, and associated with the Genoan type sickle marks often aligned with GENOA and FRINGIA inscriptions. These were widely copied in Styria from Italian markings and spuriously applied as in the Solingen manner.

Eastern European blades were notably sought by Arab traders, who of course likely had them included in commerce into the ports in India, notably Hyderabad after networking through the various entrepots. This may explain the prevalence of such Italian/Styrian blades and influence into the northern India regions and perhaps these kinds of markings on blades.

It has been well known that the familiar sickle marks commonly occur on the paluoar examples (N. Indian tulwar form) so to see blades following Italian via Styrian style as well as according markings would not be surprising.

In pics, my example of one of these,....your posting WITH markings has secured my opinion of what it actually is! Thank you!

The marking comparison (Boeheim, 1890).

An Afghan paluoar...note the copied Genoan sickle marks, which typically seem to derive from Styrian blades, as opposed to actual Italian blades, which may or may not have directly come into India.

A Mughal tulwar, probably Delhi, showing the open type hilt often favored in their courts. It is known these style open hilts also found favor in Talpur regions. The Shazada Mughal rulers of Delhi
shared the Persian influences that prevailed through Afghan and Mughal courts so obviously Persian shamshirs were as always a highly dominant form.

A tulwar, but hilt of shamshir style, probably this sphere but first quarter 19th c. and the blade is a British M1788 cavalry saber, suggesting of course association with East India Co. This may well be from the court of Shazada Bahadur Shah II or his father Ahmed II of Delhi. Bahadur after his fathers death in 1837 was a pensioner from East India Co.

A British saber c. 1800-05 probably East India Co. officer , note the copy of the yelman of these tulwars, and the profound influence of the Indian sabers.

A bit comprehensive I know, but the tulwar posted here has somehow 'turned on the lights' on these swords I have had but until now, had not connected the dots. Thank you so much! and for readers, thank you for forbearance for my runaway missive.

The page shown from "Swords of the Shazadas and Talpurs" Connoisseur magazine, Nov. 1971, Peter A. Hayes
To clarify, the term Shazada was an honorific title to royal lineage, high standing figures in Persian and Mughal cultures.
The Talpurs were a Baluchi clan in power in Sind from 1783.

23rd August 2025, 08:42 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,537	Possibly Sindhi/Talpur mid to late 18th c. It is very exciting to see this old tulwar which is characteristic of these northern forms, and likely from latter 18th century, quite possibly earlier. The open hilt was contemporary with those with knuckle guards seen on Mughal tulwar forms of these periods through the next century. While I may be going out on a limb here, I am inclined to think this may be a Sindhi form possibly of the Balochi Talpur dynasty. The aperture at center of guard was a method of fixation known in these northern swords associated with Afghanistan, and this was a vassal state to the Durrani Empire on Afghanstan. Also, this may be a Mughal example from Delhi regions in the same period. Without getting further into the geo political complexities, the character of this tulwar corresponds to features of the Afghan weapons and the northern hilt styles .With the blade this appears to be a compelling version of much earlier blade forms which came from late 16th century Italian storta, having to do with the widened tip (yelman). This was of course a Turkic affinity, which was adopted by western blademakers, especially in Styria, who supplied Eastern Europes cutlers. Those markings on the blade correspond to the twig/marca mosca type in the one nearest the forte, and associated with the Genoan type sickle marks often aligned with GENOA and FRINGIA inscriptions. These were widely copied in Styria from Italian markings and spuriously applied as in the Solingen manner. Eastern European blades were notably sought by Arab traders, who of course likely had them included in commerce into the ports in India, notably Hyderabad after networking through the various entrepots. This may explain the prevalence of such Italian/Styrian blades and influence into the northern India regions and perhaps these kinds of markings on blades. It has been well known that the familiar sickle marks commonly occur on the paluoar examples (N. Indian tulwar form) so to see blades following Italian via Styrian style as well as according markings would not be surprising. In pics, my example of one of these,....your posting WITH markings has secured my opinion of what it actually is! Thank you! The marking comparison (Boeheim, 1890). An Afghan paluoar...note the copied Genoan sickle marks, which typically seem to derive from Styrian blades, as opposed to actual Italian blades, which may or may not have directly come into India. A Mughal tulwar, probably Delhi, showing the open type hilt often favored in their courts. It is known these style open hilts also found favor in Talpur regions. The Shazada Mughal rulers of Delhi shared the Persian influences that prevailed through Afghan and Mughal courts so obviously Persian shamshirs were as always a highly dominant form. A tulwar, but hilt of shamshir style, probably this sphere but first quarter 19th c. and the blade is a British M1788 cavalry saber, suggesting of course association with East India Co. This may well be from the court of Shazada Bahadur Shah II or his father Ahmed II of Delhi. Bahadur after his fathers death in 1837 was a pensioner from East India Co. A British saber c. 1800-05 probably East India Co. officer , note the copy of the yelman of these tulwars, and the profound influence of the Indian sabers. A bit comprehensive I know, but the tulwar posted here has somehow 'turned on the lights' on these swords I have had but until now, had not connected the dots. Thank you so much! and for readers, thank you for forbearance for my runaway missive. The page shown from "Swords of the Shazadas and Talpurs" Connoisseur magazine, Nov. 1971, Peter A. Hayes To clarify, the term Shazada was an honorific title to royal lineage, high standing figures in Persian and Mughal cultures. The Talpurs were a Baluchi clan in power in Sind from 1783. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 24th August 2025 at 01:09 AM.