Another mystery knife from India

DaveA · 4th October 2007, 12:54 AM

All,

I'm having such a great time. The wealth of expertise here is wonderful and I thank you for your help thus far in identifying my mystery blades.

Here is another one. I purchased it from a woman in England who had it in her family for over 60 years. Her grandfather was stationed in India.

It has a steel blade measuring approx 16.5 " x 1" width - tapering to a point. The blad is sharpened on the outside of the curve.

The ornamental brass handle featuring flowers and mythical creature at the end. The handle measures 4" making total overall length of item 20.5".

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

- Dave A.

Jim McDougall · 7th October 2007, 02:15 AM

This interesting weapon appears to be a long dagger/short sword from southern India intended as a court weapon. It would seem that the short version of parabolic shamshir blade would be less obtrusive in such settings. The khanjhar style hilt is in the form of a makara, the mythical aquatic beast that served as the mount for the Hindu god Varuna. This creature is often found in the motif of royal thrones and in architectural motif of sacred Buddhist monuments (there is of course considerable similarity in Buddhist and Hindu symbolism and theology). The yellow brass, and the floral design of the base of the hilt suggest this weapon may be Mysori, and probably of 19th century, quite likely in the early years.

It is interesting to note that in Indian weaponry architectural forms are often employed in the elements and motif of the hilts. To find more concerning weapons of southern India I would recommend highly Robert Elgood's "Hindu Arms and Ritual" which is where I obtained much of the information I have posted.

DaveA · 7th October 2007, 04:36 AM

Jim, your knowledge is manifold. I thank you once again. Interesting possibilities to pursue!
- Dave A

Jim McDougall · 7th October 2007, 05:28 AM

Thank you so much for the kind words Dave! and you are most welcome.
Absolutely always interesting possibilities!!!

All the best,
Jim

BBJW · 10th October 2007, 12:04 AM

Here is one of mine. I thought the animal was a mongoose. What do you think Jim?

Cheers
bbjw

DaveA · 10th October 2007, 01:35 AM

- Dave A

Jim McDougall · 10th October 2007, 05:22 AM

Hi BBJW,

Yup, makara again! Interesting to see another of these khanjhars with this creature on the hilt, they seem relatively uncommon. It would be interesting to see the variations in the artistic interpretation of these creatures as found on hilts.

All best regards,
Jim

4th October 2007, 12:54 AM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Another mystery knife from India All, I'm having such a great time. The wealth of expertise here is wonderful and I thank you for your help thus far in identifying my mystery blades. Here is another one. I purchased it from a woman in England who had it in her family for over 60 years. Her grandfather was stationed in India. It has a steel blade measuring approx 16.5 " x 1" width - tapering to a point. The blad is sharpened on the outside of the curve. The ornamental brass handle featuring flowers and mythical creature at the end. The handle measures 4" making total overall length of item 20.5". Any ideas? Thanks in advance! - Dave A.

7th October 2007, 04:36 AM	#3
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Tnx for thoughtful reply Jim, your knowledge is manifold. I thank you once again. Interesting possibilities to pursue! - Dave A

10th October 2007, 12:04 AM	#5
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 226	similiar khanjar Here is one of mine. I thought the animal was a mongoose. What do you think Jim? Cheers bbjw Attached Images

10th October 2007, 01:35 AM	#6
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Looks like a Makara to me [EOM] - Dave A

7th October 2007, 02:15 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,800	This interesting weapon appears to be a long dagger/short sword from southern India intended as a court weapon. It would seem that the short version of parabolic shamshir blade would be less obtrusive in such settings. The khanjhar style hilt is in the form of a makara, the mythical aquatic beast that served as the mount for the Hindu god Varuna. This creature is often found in the motif of royal thrones and in architectural motif of sacred Buddhist monuments (there is of course considerable similarity in Buddhist and Hindu symbolism and theology). The yellow brass, and the floral design of the base of the hilt suggest this weapon may be Mysori, and probably of 19th century, quite likely in the early years. It is interesting to note that in Indian weaponry architectural forms are often employed in the elements and motif of the hilts. To find more concerning weapons of southern India I would recommend highly Robert Elgood's "Hindu Arms and Ritual" which is where I obtained much of the information I have posted.

7th October 2007, 05:28 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,800	Thank you so much for the kind words Dave! and you are most welcome. Absolutely always interesting possibilities!!! All the best, Jim

10th October 2007, 05:22 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,800	Hi BBJW, Yup, makara again! Interesting to see another of these khanjhars with this creature on the hilt, they seem relatively uncommon. It would be interesting to see the variations in the artistic interpretation of these creatures as found on hilts. All best regards, Jim