Tegha

[Bill M]

I am also looking for references, but not finding much, however.

In Dr.Gaytri Nath Pant's "Indian Arms and Armor," (1980) Volume II, Page 84, he states:

"It is an Indian sabre with a broad curved balde and the hilt like that of a Talwar. It is used by the Muslim, Marathas and Rajputs. Those have hunting scenes engraved on the blades are are called tegha shikargaha.

"In the national Museum, New Dehli is displayed an heavy, 17th century A.D. Rajput tegha . . . ."

He provides no picture or further information.

And as Jens has already stated, Egarton of Tatton, "A Description of Indian and Oriental Armour," 1896, "In use by the Hindu Rangars..." and "Much used by the Mahrattas and Rajpoots in the time of Hyder Ali."

He was a Muslim ruler of Mysore, India in the mid-to late 1700s.

I am surprised that there is not more information about this sword as it would appear that it was popular, at least among the nobility. However I do wonder if the name "tegah" is confused or applied to something else as I have heard it compared to a nimcha.