Pata was a popular weapon of the irregular Maratha cavalry. Their usual tactics was a mass attack, a couple of slashes and a quick retreat. Stabbing was not a part of the “menu”:-) That’s why their blades were bendable. I have seen several with stiff , often European, blades. But those were an exception.
Southern India had Urumi, a belt sword and some Caucasian shashkas were kept
bent into a circle within a sieve. Those were the ultimate examples of a weapon culture that preferred slashing over stabbing.
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