Indian Tulwar: important?

ariel · 3rd April 2011, 12:10 AM

We all remember chapter 12 In the Elgood's book on Hindu arms : "Four Important 16th or early 17th century South Indian Swords".
One of them is a tulwar with a European blade and it's importance is due entirely to the handle: bowl-shaped with protruding baluster. Elgood associates it with urulis ( cooking vessel), purna kalasa ( bowl of plenty, which is a symbol of Durga) or islamic divining bowls. For us, simple people, it is reminescent of the Sumatran piso podangs. Photo from the book included for easy reference.

I just got a very nice tulwar with an unusually thick blade, yelman and some decorations on the blade. But the handle was what intrigued me: an identical copy of the "important" one.

So, my question: are those indeed rare? Is my sword also important? :-)

3rd April 2011, 12:10 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Indian Tulwar: important? We all remember chapter 12 In the Elgood's book on Hindu arms : "Four Important 16th or early 17th century South Indian Swords". One of them is a tulwar with a European blade and it's importance is due entirely to the handle: bowl-shaped with protruding baluster. Elgood associates it with urulis ( cooking vessel), purna kalasa ( bowl of plenty, which is a symbol of Durga) or islamic divining bowls. For us, simple people, it is reminescent of the Sumatran piso podangs. Photo from the book included for easy reference. I just got a very nice tulwar with an unusually thick blade, yelman and some decorations on the blade. But the handle was what intrigued me: an identical copy of the "important" one. So, my question: are those indeed rare? Is my sword also important? :-) Attached Images