A visit to Bikaner, Rajasthan

Jens Nordlunde · 15th January 2013, 04:27 PM

Hi Emanuel,

Thank you for showing these pictures, they are very interesting, and show a very big range, when it comes to shapes and quality – but that is how it is, and how it should be.

The big diversity in quality shows us, that weapons of almost all shapes and quality were used, but knowing, as we do, that every armoury had weapons from other parts of India, in a bigger or smaller number – looted or bought – we also know, that weapons found in any armoury/museum may come from quite another place than where they are now.

When I see one of the chiselled katars I always wonder how much it would cost, to have one made today in such a quality – likely the ransom of a king – maybe a smaller one, but still. At the same time I ask myself what the price would have been then, compared to their standard of living. I know that you can't compare this, but it is an interesting experiment of thought.

Jens

katana · 15th January 2013, 09:30 PM

Hi Emanuel,
lucky you .....I'm not really jealous

Fantastic, thanks for sharing

All the best
David

Robert · 15th January 2013, 09:58 PM

Hello Emanuel,
Absolutely fantastic, thank you very much for sharing these great photos.

Regards,
Robert

CharlesS · 15th January 2013, 11:15 PM

Thanks so much for sharing these!!! What a testament to the infinity of the Indian arsenal!!

A. G. Maisey · 16th January 2013, 12:21 AM

Thank you Emanuel.

Interesting displays.

Battara · 16th January 2013, 03:15 AM

Great that you were able to visit, see these pieces, and post them. Thank you.

Just wish the mesh was replaced by glass so that we could get a better view of some of these.

15th January 2013, 04:27 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Emanuel, Thank you for showing these pictures, they are very interesting, and show a very big range, when it comes to shapes and quality – but that is how it is, and how it should be. The big diversity in quality shows us, that weapons of almost all shapes and quality were used, but knowing, as we do, that every armoury had weapons from other parts of India, in a bigger or smaller number – looted or bought – we also know, that weapons found in any armoury/museum may come from quite another place than where they are now. When I see one of the chiselled katars I always wonder how much it would cost, to have one made today in such a quality – likely the ransom of a king – maybe a smaller one, but still. At the same time I ask myself what the price would have been then, compared to their standard of living. I know that you can't compare this, but it is an interesting experiment of thought. Jens

15th January 2013, 09:30 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Emanuel, lucky you .....I'm not really jealous Fantastic, thanks for sharing All the best David

15th January 2013, 09:58 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Emanuel, Absolutely fantastic, thank you very much for sharing these great photos. Regards, Robert

15th January 2013, 11:15 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks so much for sharing these!!! What a testament to the infinity of the Indian arsenal!!

16th January 2013, 12:21 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	Thank you Emanuel. Interesting displays.

16th January 2013, 03:15 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,323	Great that you were able to visit, see these pieces, and post them. Thank you. Just wish the mesh was replaced by glass so that we could get a better view of some of these.