Stan, this appears to be a solid fighting tulwar as you have already well described, and I think your date assessment is well in range. The dotted script characters also as you and Gene have noted are typically attributed to the armory at Bikaner. This is actually one of the few instances with Indian arms where we can establish a distinct marking characteristic to a particular armoury or location.
Bikaner is located in northwest Rajasthan, which as you have also established is indeed in Northwest India. It is important to note that because the blade is marked with these distinctive dotted characters of the armoury at Junargh Fort there, it means the weapon was one held there, not necessarily made or used there. Probably one of the largest hoards of captured arms and armour was brought there by Maharajah Anup Singh from the seige of Adoni in 1689 far to the southeast in India.
While your tulwar is characteristically simple in its styling as a fighting weapon probably intended to equip other ranks, the fleuret shaped quillon terminals are generally considered to be a feature of Mughal edged weapons. Most tulwars either Rajput or those to the east in Punjab regions will typically have the domed quillon terminals. Rajput and Sikh tulwars also usually are with knuckleguard. Naturally there are many exceptions and variations, and despite cases where regional attribution is suggested, typically unless specifically provenanced these are difficult to substantiate conclusively.
Excellent example and good solid piece!!!
All best regards,
Jim
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