Two Salawar yataghans - khyber knives

[katana]

Originally Posted by ariel

Kipling, "Young British Soldier"
When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.

It was my understanding that this type of sword was indigenous to the mountainous regions of Afghanistan and India, hence being a short sword. Surely larger swords would be employed whilst fighting "on Afghanistan's plains".....

Most of the conflict with the hill tribes were difficult for the British due to the tribes mens skill with firearms, their 'local' knowledge of the terrain and their guerrilla tactics.....

Regards David