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Old 12th January 2008, 05:54 AM   #11
Jim McDougall
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
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Hello Josue,
I would like to welcome you to the forum as well, and congratulate you on the nice job you have done with this excellent addition to your museum.

This unusual and very formidable appearing weapon appears to be a Rajput example of the form of sword corresponding to the famed Zulfikar (there are numerous more proper spellings). What is most interesting is that this clearly Rajput weapon with distinctive 'Hindu basket hilt' is mounted with heavy bifurcated blade of a form that is of course often represented on Muslim edged weapons.
This form of hilt is of course seen on the straight bladed Rajput sword known as the 'khanda' and in some cases with a heavy, somewhat recurved blade known as the sosun patta.

Egerton (p.105) notes that the "...broad, curved sword 'tegha' "is used by
"Mohammedan Rajputs". Since the Rajputs were indeed often in degree allied with the Mughals, this may explain the odd combination.

Egerton (#658) illustrates a shamshir from Peshawar, which has in contrast a simple curved shamshir blade with wavy edges and bifurcated point. This appears late 18th century.

It is known that Rajputs in a number of instances had heavy bladed tulwars with these serrated edges on the blades, and interestingly the edges are on both sides of the blade though these typically had one section at center of percussion left unserrated. This would suggest the serration had more of a symbolic or possibly ceremonial application.

It seems that bifurcated swords associated with the Zulfikar representation are typically serrated in most of the examples seen (though I have seen Indian tulwars with such blades that are not). The term 'fikar' in Arabic if I understand correctly has been interpreted to mean, loosely, wavy edges. This may have some bearing on the interpretive design of the blade.

Please excuse the complexity here, but the outstanding sword you have there is a indeed a complex hybrid.

For classification I would suggest this is a Rajput sword which may be termed a 'sapola' (E. Jaiwent Paul, "Arms and Armour: Traditional Weapons of India", p.63, "...the sapola is a sword with a bifurcated point") and is likely from regions in Northern India, dating mid to late 18th century. *

In my opinion this type weapon, though as noted, seems quite formidable, I would feel it is more likely ceremonial, as Rajputs deeply revered the sword and this elaborate example certainly carried deep symbolism.


* I feel that Paul's attribution though probably regionally correct may be quite optimistic in assigning 16th century period to this example and form.




The second weapon with double blades is as noted a Sudanese example from late 19th century of the similar double bladed Rajput weapon termed the 'haladie'. These were typically used by Mahdist forces, and the blades are heavily etched in 'thuluth' script. The ivory handle is somewhat unusual and may suggest the weapon of a tribal leader or dignitary.


All very best regards,
Jim
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