Latest on this knife, I took it into the Armouries and we all had a look at it. The concensus is that the engraving was probably done some time after the knife was made, most probably not for the souvenier market originaly. The blade looks to be made of wootz, probably ground or forged from an old sword blade, and edge hardened for use and the point left soft so not to break too easily.
A kirpan does look to be the best contender for this, but I have a query, would this sort of knife ever be used for animal sacrifice/slaughter? Use for this would explain the trouble taken over the edge hardening.
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