Indian Tulwar with Rare Hand Guard

[ariel]

Jim,
I am referring to the “Swords of Deccan”. It is stored in the “Classics” collection here.
I am not sure the half- or full guards were inspired by the European examples. IMHO, these handles combine both Mughal ( Tulwar) and the Hindu ( Khanda-like) elements, kind of syncretic style that had developed in Deccan Sultanates.
And, yes, many Deccani chilanums carry handles of a similar general idea. What’s good for a goose is good for a gander.

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks Ariel, I had forgotten that excellent work! and you are right, this 'half guard element along with the beading or scalloping (not sure of proper term) seems well known in Deccani edged weapon hilts.
As Kubur has noted, it is seen on 'chilanum' as a 'half guard' as well (illustration added).

I agree with you that the European influence would appear unlikely as this type of guard did not appear until late 18th century, and then in limited instances such as the court swords I mentioned.

In Elgood's article on the Deccan, a khanda of late 16th c. with similar decorative motif as well as a tegha of late 17th, suggest that the style existed there well prior to the European forms I suggested.

It seems the chilanum form, according to the Bijapur manuscript of the 'Nujum al Alam/ (1570) existed at least that early, but of course the frequency of this style decoration or the half guard is unclear.

In the example of chilanum illustrated, the holes along the scalloped edge can be seen also. It appears that as often the case in Indian arms either hilt styles or perhaps actual hilts were often transferred to full size sword blades.
In this case, the 'half guard' element seems amalgamated with a tulwar hilt, primarily a Mughal weapon style.

At the Siege of Adoni (1689) many Deccani weapons were captured and taken by the Mughals, and many ended up in the armory at Junargarh Fort in Bikaner.
Perhaps this tulwar was a product of such joining of styles, recalling the Deccani hilt forms. This example shows remarkable age, but is in iron rather than the brass or yellow metal preferred in Deccan, and as noted, is basically the Indo Persian style tulwar hilt of regions to the north. Obviously there are exceptions, but the Indo Persian tulwar is typically regarded as from north of the Deccan.

It is also tempting, given the character of the blade on this example, to consider that perhaps it may be a German hanger blade of 17th c which were among those traded to Marathas in latter 17th. It does seem to carry similar back fuller style, later imitated by Birmingham swordsmiths from examples they imported in early to mid 18th c.

[Kubur]

Guys

I'm not sure that Elgood 2011 is the best reference...
I like pdf but i prefer books...
For me the best reference is Elgood 2015 in his Jaipur book
look at pages 128-129 sword kota or bundi
The discussion fits perfectly to the sword posted

[Jens Nordlunde]

Kubur, try Sultans of the South. Arts of Indian's Deccan Courts 1323-1687. The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2008. Robert Elgood, Swords in the Deccan in the Sixteenth and Sewenteenth Centuries; Their Manufacture and the Influence of European Imports. Pp. 218-233.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Kubur, try Sultans of the South. Arts of Indian's Deccan Courts 1323-1687. The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2008. Robert Elgood, Swords in the Deccan in the Sixteenth and Sewenteenth Centuries; Their Manufacture and the Influence of European Imports. Pp. 218-233.

That’s the one we have in our Classics.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Kubur, try Sultans of the South. Arts of Indian's Deccan Courts 1323-1687. The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2008. Robert Elgood, Swords in the Deccan in the Sixteenth and Sewenteenth Centuries; Their Manufacture and the Influence of European Imports. Pp. 218-233.

Hi Jens,
Yes I mentionned it and I think your date is no correct, it's 2011.
For the other members who don't have access to the reference that i mentionned, i scanned the pages.
Ramba it might be interesting for you...
Kubur

[Kubur]

the other pages

[RAMBA]

Originally Posted by Kubur

the other pages

Thanks Kubur - this makes it all very interesting - This is why one posts these things up to get a good discussion going. I do see the similar styles here.

[RAMBA]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thanks Ariel, I had forgotten that excellent work! and you are right, this 'half guard element along with the beading or scalloping (not sure of proper term) seems well known in Deccani edged weapon hilts.
As Kubur has noted, it is seen on 'chilanum' as a 'half guard' as well (illustration added).

I agree with you that the European influence would appear unlikely as this type of guard did not appear until late 18th century, and then in limited instances such as the court swords I mentioned.

In Elgood's article on the Deccan, a khanda of late 16th c. with similar decorative motif as well as a tegha of late 17th, suggest that the style existed there well prior to the European forms I suggested.

It seems the chilanum form, according to the Bijapur manuscript of the 'Nujum al Alam/ (1570) existed at least that early, but of course the frequency of this style decoration or the half guard is unclear.

In the example of chilanum illustrated, the holes along the scalloped edge can be seen also. It appears that as often the case in Indian arms either hilt styles or perhaps actual hilts were often transferred to full size sword blades.
In this case, the 'half guard' element seems amalgamated with a tulwar hilt, primarily a Mughal weapon style.

At the Siege of Adoni (1689) many Deccani weapons were captured and taken by the Mughals, and many ended up in the armory at Junargarh Fort in Bikaner.
Perhaps this tulwar was a product of such joining of styles, recalling the Deccani hilt forms. This example shows remarkable age, but is in iron rather than the brass or yellow metal preferred in Deccan, and as noted, is basically the Indo Persian style tulwar hilt of regions to the north. Obviously there are exceptions, but the Indo Persian tulwar is typically regarded as from north of the Deccan.

It is also tempting, given the character of the blade on this example, to consider that perhaps it may be a German hanger blade of 17th c which were among those traded to Marathas in latter 17th. It does seem to carry similar back fuller style, later imitated by Birmingham swordsmiths from examples they imported in early to mid 18th c.

Very very interesting - I note that the blade does not have a ricassso. Which it should as has been previously suggested to me with Indian made blades. The blade is thin flexible and light. I assume when you say 17th C you mean 1600s - 1700? Not 1700s.

This is all very interesting.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by RAMBA

Very very interesting - I note that the blade does not have a ricassso. Which it should as has been previously suggested to me with Indian made blades. The blade is thin flexible and light. I assume when you say 17th C you mean 1600s - 1700? Not 1700s.

This is all very interesting.

17th century in our parlance means 1600s.
The blade as noted is likely to have been one of the German blades which were traded into India in latter 1600s, and into 1700s. The article by Robert Elgood as noted in previous posts is superb and will give you great insight to those circumstances.