Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

The sword shown below was owned by Shri Jodh Bahadur/Rao Jodh II of Salumbar/Udaipur/Mewar, and is dated VS 1927 - AD 1870-71. Born AD 1833 and ruled from 1863 to 1901(?).

The three dots have been used almost as if they were closing the fullers as it is often seen.

This is most interesting Jens, and as we have often noted, the 'three dots' have often been found on Indian blades in seemingly strategic locations, as if to add strength or power to that key point of the blade.

In this instance at the terminus of the flutes, this is often seen in European blades as in Spanish blades, the 'anchor' often was seen at end of fullers.
I would note here that these kinds of flutes in the forte of the blade were typical on 18th century Solingen blades as often seen on broadswords found on Scottish basket hilts. This suggests possible factors of European influence here.

On earlier European blades the Bishop's cross often 'enclosed' names, phrases or invocations in this manner, as if to augment or enhance the power or significance of what was being expressed.

It is often perplexing in trying to consider certain markings on blades such as the 'sickle' marks often copied on Indian blades (recalling of course the Genoan/Styrian forms)............were these to suggest quality as often assumed, or imbuements of power and strength ?


Could these three dots possibly have been in imitation of the three dots typically part of the sickle mark described, but taken singly in accord with the numeric value of the Trimurti....and placed to add such strength?
The grouping of dots at the top of the fuller is of configured as five rather than three, which of course seems unusual unless simply added in accord with the others in an aesthetic sense.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Jim,
The five dots are share one of the dots, have a look here.
This blade is quite unusual, as one side is wootz and the other side is pattern welded with only two fullers along the blade.

[Jim McDougall]

AHAH!!! The dreaded five dot combination!!!
OK that makes sense, and works out by saving space.
With that in mind, I think of the dot combinations in the Italian blade markings. ….those 'Genoan' sickle marks while seen in pretty standard arrangement were often realigned in all sorts of configurations.

It truly is interesting to look into. A mark may have had peculiar significance in its origin, then later become looked at as a sign of quality......further copying led to its use as an aesthetic theme or arrangement...its original meaning long lost.

In Germany the use of Toledo markings were much in this manner, and certain marks were paired or grouped completely incongruently .

It all makes for interesting study and investigation for those who enjoy a good mystery.....weapons have a lot of 'em!!

[Edster]

Great thread. I'm learning that:

Seldom is a cigar just a cigar!

[Jens Nordlunde]

Here is the sickle with the three dots.
Detail from a tulwar blade. Mughal late 17th to early 18th century.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

SEE http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7138 where MATCHLOCK (RIP) placed a stunning article on the haquebus and showed three dots at #! on the 6th picture. BELOW

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

More on the 3 dot structure using an image of an Afghanistan Pulwar ~

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

More on the 3 dot structure using an image of an Islamic Gun at the cannon barrel end. ~