Another mystery knife from India

Jim McDougall · 7th October 2007, 02:15 AM

This interesting weapon appears to be a long dagger/short sword from southern India intended as a court weapon. It would seem that the short version of parabolic shamshir blade would be less obtrusive in such settings. The khanjhar style hilt is in the form of a makara, the mythical aquatic beast that served as the mount for the Hindu god Varuna. This creature is often found in the motif of royal thrones and in architectural motif of sacred Buddhist monuments (there is of course considerable similarity in Buddhist and Hindu symbolism and theology). The yellow brass, and the floral design of the base of the hilt suggest this weapon may be Mysori, and probably of 19th century, quite likely in the early years.

It is interesting to note that in Indian weaponry architectural forms are often employed in the elements and motif of the hilts. To find more concerning weapons of southern India I would recommend highly Robert Elgood's "Hindu Arms and Ritual" which is where I obtained much of the information I have posted.

7th October 2007, 02:15 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	This interesting weapon appears to be a long dagger/short sword from southern India intended as a court weapon. It would seem that the short version of parabolic shamshir blade would be less obtrusive in such settings. The khanjhar style hilt is in the form of a makara, the mythical aquatic beast that served as the mount for the Hindu god Varuna. This creature is often found in the motif of royal thrones and in architectural motif of sacred Buddhist monuments (there is of course considerable similarity in Buddhist and Hindu symbolism and theology). The yellow brass, and the floral design of the base of the hilt suggest this weapon may be Mysori, and probably of 19th century, quite likely in the early years. It is interesting to note that in Indian weaponry architectural forms are often employed in the elements and motif of the hilts. To find more concerning weapons of southern India I would recommend highly Robert Elgood's "Hindu Arms and Ritual" which is where I obtained much of the information I have posted.