an intresting khanda

ariel · 28th November 2009, 04:48 PM

M-m-m...
The quality is too good and the construction is not very ostentatious... I would guess it is a 'working" example. The wooden extension is likely to be later and improvised addition. I would discount its significance.
Khanda is usually considered to be a Hindu weapon. To see it with a purely Islamic Dhu-l'-faqar feature is puzzling. Surely, we all saw examples of Khandas with Mughal overtones, but the cloved tip is the most blatant proclamation of Islamic connection. The inscription may provide a clue. Certainly, it is not in Russian; otherwise both Tatiana and myself would be bragging about our linguistic usefulness to the Forum :-)

Atlantia · 28th November 2009, 05:31 PM

Interesting sword. My thought was for exhibitions at festivals or displays of some sort.
I've often wondered if the saw toothed Hindu weapons had any specific purpose or advantage? I notice that both of the 'fangs' are pierced, which night indicate hanging points for links and tassles and a possible display use? There is another hanging point on the guard.
The extension to the 'second' hand grip might be for facilitating twirling and exhibition?
Also, I cant see the fangs surviving a hard two handed swing against much in battle.

Regards
Gene

Looks like some numbering at the end of the inscription (although I'm taking some liberties, especially with making that glorified dot a zero.).

Emanuel · 28th November 2009, 06:10 PM

Here's another one, more flamboyant.

Valjhun had snatched a similar one about three years ago.

Jens Nordlunde · 28th November 2009, 09:33 PM

If the year is 1064, it is hardly VS - so why don't you say so?

Atlantia · 28th November 2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

If the year is 1064, it is hardly VS - so why don't you say so?

Que?

(In other words Jens, you've lost me there, can you elaborate?)

bhushan_lawate · 29th November 2009, 08:23 AM

Hi all,

Could we have a close up of the script there???

Looks Devanagari and the last word and digits clearly indicate "San 1064" meaning "year 1064"

Thanks,
Bhushan Lawate

kisak · 29th November 2009, 02:20 PM

It seemed like a solid piece at the auction viewing, but the split tip isn't something I'd be very comfortable about going into battle with, so perhaps a fighting sword converted to a ceremonial one by re-shaping the tip?

28th November 2009, 05:31 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Interesting sword. My thought was for exhibitions at festivals or displays of some sort. I've often wondered if the saw toothed Hindu weapons had any specific purpose or advantage? I notice that both of the 'fangs' are pierced, which night indicate hanging points for links and tassles and a possible display use? There is another hanging point on the guard. The extension to the 'second' hand grip might be for facilitating twirling and exhibition? Also, I cant see the fangs surviving a hard two handed swing against much in battle. Regards Gene Looks like some numbering at the end of the inscription (although I'm taking some liberties, especially with making that glorified dot a zero.). Last edited by Atlantia; 28th November 2009 at 08:18 PM.

28th November 2009, 06:10 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Here's another one, more flamboyant. Valjhun had snatched a similar one about three years ago. Attached Images

28th November 2009, 04:48 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	M-m-m... The quality is too good and the construction is not very ostentatious... I would guess it is a 'working" example. The wooden extension is likely to be later and improvised addition. I would discount its significance. Khanda is usually considered to be a Hindu weapon. To see it with a purely Islamic Dhu-l'-faqar feature is puzzling. Surely, we all saw examples of Khandas with Mughal overtones, but the cloved tip is the most blatant proclamation of Islamic connection. The inscription may provide a clue. Certainly, it is not in Russian; otherwise both Tatiana and myself would be bragging about our linguistic usefulness to the Forum :-)

28th November 2009, 09:33 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	If the year is 1064, it is hardly VS - so why don't you say so?

29th November 2009, 08:23 AM	#6
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	Hi all, Could we have a close up of the script there??? Looks Devanagari and the last word and digits clearly indicate "San 1064" meaning "year 1064" Thanks, Bhushan Lawate

29th November 2009, 02:20 PM	#7
kisak Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stockholm Posts: 182	It seemed like a solid piece at the auction viewing, but the split tip isn't something I'd be very comfortable about going into battle with, so perhaps a fighting sword converted to a ceremonial one by re-shaping the tip?