The Indian PATA and the mysterious MANOPLE

Jim McDougall · 17th September 2025, 05:35 PM

Great links GP!!
It is often thought that the pata was a thrusting weapon, in the manner of the transverse grip katar as used in more northern regions of India by Rajputs and Mughals. However in the south, it was slashing cuts primarily, with the thrust basically disfavored.

Important input, thank you so much!
All the best
Jim

Jim McDougall · 15th February 2026, 06:21 PM

Recently I posted a thread pertaining to the weapons possibly used on the vessels of the Mahratta naval forces as well as those of the pirates along the Malabar coast. It seems that while clearly the stout bladed versions of tegha, whether Hindu basket hilt (khanda) form or tulwar style obviously were likely, the various versions of pata may also have been used.

Just wanted some further input on this, as well as the dialogue on this example I posted and cases of use in the warrior culture of S. India ceremonially.

Is it possible this blade which is clearly Solingen and with cosmological symbols, and central tri-fuller DE blade, might have been from a Scottish basket hilt, perhaps from a Scot in the forces of EIC in 18th c.?

15th February 2026, 06:21 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,834	Bump- more interest in this discussion Recently I posted a thread pertaining to the weapons possibly used on the vessels of the Mahratta naval forces as well as those of the pirates along the Malabar coast. It seems that while clearly the stout bladed versions of tegha, whether Hindu basket hilt (khanda) form or tulwar style obviously were likely, the various versions of pata may also have been used. Just wanted some further input on this, as well as the dialogue on this example I posted and cases of use in the warrior culture of S. India ceremonially. Is it possible this blade which is clearly Solingen and with cosmological symbols, and central tri-fuller DE blade, might have been from a Scottish basket hilt, perhaps from a Scot in the forces of EIC in 18th c.?

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17th September 2025, 05:35 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,834	Great links GP!! It is often thought that the pata was a thrusting weapon, in the manner of the transverse grip katar as used in more northern regions of India by Rajputs and Mughals. However in the south, it was slashing cuts primarily, with the thrust basically disfavored. Important input, thank you so much! All the best Jim