Сlassification of Indian swords.

Jim McDougall · 10th November 2022, 07:21 PM

While to be sure, Egerton and Stone set the pace for describing Indian arms, whether correct or entirely incorrect, the terms became the lexicon for writing on these weapons over the next century.
Then came Rawson as he catalogued the huge Victoria & Albert collections and pretty much followed the earlier writings, but with certain limited adjustments.
Followed by Pant (1980) who decides to 'correct' Rawson on many counts, but adds to the confusion with his own perspectives.
His attempts to regionalize and add dynastic terms to certain hilts only add more confusion to the conundrum of weapon terms in India.

This melange of terms has been the character of description we have all muddled through these years in discussions, pretty much the 'Tower of Babel' syndrome in many cases.

ariel · 11th November 2022, 02:09 AM

As per Jens Nordlunde ( http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=sailaba) #5 is a
Hyderabadi sword called Sailaba. It is listed in a catalogue of the Hyderabad museum, dated 1780 and the legend says that they have 27 sailabas dated to 17-19 century.

I have one for sure, another of similar profile, extremely large and heavy, and yet another with tulwar handle and Ottoman yataghan blade dated ( presumably) 1101 H, i.e. 1689 Gregorian.

rumpel9 · 11th November 2022, 11:03 AM

I'll add a couple more Indian swords. I'm not sure they have proper names at all. Their purpose, I believe, is ritual or decorative. I note that both swords are very poorly balanced.

ariel · 11th November 2022, 01:47 PM

Indian sword serrated on one edge: Arapusta
On both edges: Aradam.

11th November 2022, 11:03 AM	#3
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	I'll add a couple more Indian swords. I'm not sure they have proper names at all. Their purpose, I believe, is ritual or decorative. I note that both swords are very poorly balanced. Attached Images

10th November 2022, 07:21 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	While to be sure, Egerton and Stone set the pace for describing Indian arms, whether correct or entirely incorrect, the terms became the lexicon for writing on these weapons over the next century. Then came Rawson as he catalogued the huge Victoria & Albert collections and pretty much followed the earlier writings, but with certain limited adjustments. Followed by Pant (1980) who decides to 'correct' Rawson on many counts, but adds to the confusion with his own perspectives. His attempts to regionalize and add dynastic terms to certain hilts only add more confusion to the conundrum of weapon terms in India. This melange of terms has been the character of description we have all muddled through these years in discussions, pretty much the 'Tower of Babel' syndrome in many cases.

11th November 2022, 02:09 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	As per Jens Nordlunde ( http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=sailaba) #5 is a Hyderabadi sword called Sailaba. It is listed in a catalogue of the Hyderabad museum, dated 1780 and the legend says that they have 27 sailabas dated to 17-19 century. I have one for sure, another of similar profile, extremely large and heavy, and yet another with tulwar handle and Ottoman yataghan blade dated ( presumably) 1101 H, i.e. 1689 Gregorian.

11th November 2022, 01:47 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Indian sword serrated on one edge: Arapusta On both edges: Aradam.