Interesting Sword: British Piso Podang

ariel · 23rd May 2006, 02:46 AM

Isn't it cool?
I do not know the background info Elgood had on his sword, but have no doubt that it was not an isolated example and that it represented a specific pattern.
This handle (with some minor variations) was brought to Sumatra by the Hindus, not Muslim Moghuls. It was THEIR pattern, most likely.
To see a similar sword preserved in the middle of the 19th century is fascinating.
I love the idea of tracing cultural contacts and exchanges through weapons (go overboard occasionally....). This sword is telling us something important; not many do that.

23rd May 2006, 02:46 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Isn't it cool? I do not know the background info Elgood had on his sword, but have no doubt that it was not an isolated example and that it represented a specific pattern. This handle (with some minor variations) was brought to Sumatra by the Hindus, not Muslim Moghuls. It was THEIR pattern, most likely. To see a similar sword preserved in the middle of the 19th century is fascinating. I love the idea of tracing cultural contacts and exchanges through weapons (go overboard occasionally....). This sword is telling us something important; not many do that.