Straight bladed Tulwar

Jim McDougall · 5th May 2009, 05:14 PM

Hi Gav,
Interesting question! and just noticed this.

I think this goes to the difficulty in specific classifications and terminology.
The term 'tulwar' seems to be somewhat generic liguistically and generally refers to the familiar 'Indo'Muslim' hilt (as termed by Rawson) well known mostly in northwest India regions. The term itself derives from the Persian 'paluoar' which is now applied to the Afghan version of these hilts with drooping quillons.

In G.N.Pant ("Indian Arms and Armour", New Delhi, 1980, p.104), it is noted regarding the talwar blade that, "...it includes practically all kinds of slightly curved blades and they vary enormously in size, curvature and quality".

It is futher discussed that the talwar was considered the Muslim sword 'par excellence' , which refers to its prevalence in the Mughal sphere in India.

Rawson ( "The Indian Sword", Copenhagen, 1967) notes that the straight blade was preferred in Central and southwest India with the Marathas.
While straight blades were used by these tribes, and to the north with the Rajput use of the khanda/firangi and other instances of these largely basket hilted straight blade swords, there are always of course variations.

Pant (op.cit. p.82, fig. 170) does show a line drawing of a tulwar type hilt with open upward swept knuckleguard, mounted on a clearly straight double edged khanda type blade. There is no mention of this illustration as a type, but appears with text discussing the firangi and khanda, therefore may be considered a khanda with this style hilt.

Since sword fighting techniques of the northwest with primarily Mughals, Sikhs and Rajputs using the talwar favoring slashing and draw cuts prevail, it would seem unusual for a straight blade to be mounted on a talwar hilt.
This would not preclude the fact that the Rajputs, with perplexingly mixed allegiances with these and other groups at various times, used both the khanda as well as the talwar.
Either this application in Rajput use, or perhaps an anomaly of singular preference might explain the combination, but the straight blade on talwars as far as I can recall seems unlikely. I will say that I have seen examples of tulwar hilts mounted with kaskara blades, but again, not a common occurrence.

All the best,
Jim

BBJW · 5th May 2009, 10:54 PM

Here is one of mine to go with the subject. Quality blade circa 1850.

Cheers
bbjw

Jim McDougall · 5th May 2009, 11:42 PM

Yay BJ!!

Well there you have it, they definitely do exist!!
While still no defining term for one of these, the hilt appears to be Rajasthan style and about the date you assess.

In the immortal words of Desi Arnaz, "Ok , 'splain THIS Lucy!!!''

Thanks for posting this BJ,
All the best,
Jim

Rick · 6th May 2009, 02:17 AM

Here's another, wootz, Bikaner marked .

ariel · 6th May 2009, 04:17 AM

What are they called? Dhup? Sukhela? I am away from the books.....

Gavin Nugent · 6th May 2009, 05:24 AM

Well thank you gentlemen.

If only I had your library Jim, your years of research shine through again.

The Tulwar I handled was exactly the same styles as you all presented and single edged. Most interesting and thank you for sharing examples you have in your collection guys. Thank you BBJW and Rick...wooooooottttzzzz...hmmmmm....yyuuuummmmmmm.

Seeing the differences in quality certainly adds to my thoughts that these in some circles were a very respected sword and not just produced for the masses.

Best regards

Gav

Jim McDougall · 6th May 2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

What are they called? Dhup? Sukhela? I am away from the books.....

Thats it Ariel!!! Exactly the term I couldnt remember.......nicely done, looks like your memory is workin OK

Apparantly SE India, the straight blade examples are 'sukhela' and in the Deccan, the 'dhup'. I better make sure to check my notes. While it seems that the tulwar hilt is still unusual with these blades, it would seem that these terms are the ones you're looking for Gav (and thank you for the kind words

I did see a note that states that rather than for combat, these were essentially 'swords of state' and Tipu Sultan's sword (one of them) was a tulwar hilted straight sword.

Thanks for the great example there as well Rick, beautiful blade!

All the best,
Jim

5th May 2009, 10:54 PM	#2
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 230	Photo for this thread Here is one of mine to go with the subject. Quality blade circa 1850. Cheers bbjw Attached Images

6th May 2009, 02:17 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,348	Here's another, wootz, Bikaner marked . Attached Images

6th May 2009, 05:24 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Well thank you gentlemen Well thank you gentlemen. If only I had your library Jim, your years of research shine through again. The Tulwar I handled was exactly the same styles as you all presented and single edged. Most interesting and thank you for sharing examples you have in your collection guys. Thank you BBJW and Rick...wooooooottttzzzz...hmmmmm....yyuuuummmmmmm. Seeing the differences in quality certainly adds to my thoughts that these in some circles were a very respected sword and not just produced for the masses. Best regards Gav

5th May 2009, 05:14 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,486	Hi Gav, Interesting question! and just noticed this. I think this goes to the difficulty in specific classifications and terminology. The term 'tulwar' seems to be somewhat generic liguistically and generally refers to the familiar 'Indo'Muslim' hilt (as termed by Rawson) well known mostly in northwest India regions. The term itself derives from the Persian 'paluoar' which is now applied to the Afghan version of these hilts with drooping quillons. In G.N.Pant ("Indian Arms and Armour", New Delhi, 1980, p.104), it is noted regarding the talwar blade that, "...it includes practically all kinds of slightly curved blades and they vary enormously in size, curvature and quality". It is futher discussed that the talwar was considered the Muslim sword 'par excellence' , which refers to its prevalence in the Mughal sphere in India. Rawson ( "The Indian Sword", Copenhagen, 1967) notes that the straight blade was preferred in Central and southwest India with the Marathas. While straight blades were used by these tribes, and to the north with the Rajput use of the khanda/firangi and other instances of these largely basket hilted straight blade swords, there are always of course variations. Pant (op.cit. p.82, fig. 170) does show a line drawing of a tulwar type hilt with open upward swept knuckleguard, mounted on a clearly straight double edged khanda type blade. There is no mention of this illustration as a type, but appears with text discussing the firangi and khanda, therefore may be considered a khanda with this style hilt. Since sword fighting techniques of the northwest with primarily Mughals, Sikhs and Rajputs using the talwar favoring slashing and draw cuts prevail, it would seem unusual for a straight blade to be mounted on a talwar hilt. This would not preclude the fact that the Rajputs, with perplexingly mixed allegiances with these and other groups at various times, used both the khanda as well as the talwar. Either this application in Rajput use, or perhaps an anomaly of singular preference might explain the combination, but the straight blade on talwars as far as I can recall seems unlikely. I will say that I have seen examples of tulwar hilts mounted with kaskara blades, but again, not a common occurrence. All the best, Jim

5th May 2009, 11:42 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,486	Yay BJ!! Well there you have it, they definitely do exist!! While still no defining term for one of these, the hilt appears to be Rajasthan style and about the date you assess. In the immortal words of Desi Arnaz, "Ok , 'splain THIS Lucy!!!'' Thanks for posting this BJ, All the best, Jim

6th May 2009, 04:17 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	What are they called? Dhup? Sukhela? I am away from the books.....