The 4 letter "B"-word

ariel · 11th February 2012, 05:30 PM

I would hesitate attributing all 3 bhujes to the same workshop: the form was highly formalized and, in the absence of markings, could have been manufactured by different masters over many years.

I see why Jim mentions Zaghnal as a potential relative: both come from Sindh and the idea of reorienting the blade might have been appealing to the natives. However, zaghnal was essentially a pick, and an axe would be its closest relative. After all, both axe and zaghnal lack mechanical attributes for slashing or thrusting; only a chopping, penetrating hit was effective.
I have two bhuj-like relatives: what Egerton called Buckie ( Plate X). This is essentially a broad short blade mounted on a long handle, but with no recurving, thickened mail-piercing tip or elephant head. My guess, from the purely engineering point of view, they allowed both powerful slashing ( long lever) and thrusting. Bhuj might have been more effective against a mailed/helmeted opponent due to its mass and reinforcement of the tip.

Nice find.
Still, tell your wife you got it for $10.55 at the most :-)

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11th February 2012, 05:30 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I would hesitate attributing all 3 bhujes to the same workshop: the form was highly formalized and, in the absence of markings, could have been manufactured by different masters over many years. I see why Jim mentions Zaghnal as a potential relative: both come from Sindh and the idea of reorienting the blade might have been appealing to the natives. However, zaghnal was essentially a pick, and an axe would be its closest relative. After all, both axe and zaghnal lack mechanical attributes for slashing or thrusting; only a chopping, penetrating hit was effective. I have two bhuj-like relatives: what Egerton called Buckie ( Plate X). This is essentially a broad short blade mounted on a long handle, but with no recurving, thickened mail-piercing tip or elephant head. My guess, from the purely engineering point of view, they allowed both powerful slashing ( long lever) and thrusting. Bhuj might have been more effective against a mailed/helmeted opponent due to its mass and reinforcement of the tip. Nice find. Still, tell your wife you got it for $10.55 at the most :-)