Hi Stan,
Thanks very much!
These 'Hindu basket hilt' swords are essentially developed hilts which evolved out of the standard Indian sword, the khanda, used by the Mahratta's as well as others over time. These were with a flatter type of hilt, often without a knuckleguard, but as with most weapons variants were of course typical.
It seems generally held that the more developed basket in guard evolved from European influences, however this seems a matter of opinion that has been debated. Whatever the case, the basket hilted form was of course with longer, straight blades through the Deccan (Central India) and into the south used by the Mahrattas as the 'khanda'.
The Mahrattas were key in trade with Europe in the west and the influx of blades which became often seen in these hilts led to the alternate classification of 'firangi' for these khandas when mounted with European blade. The term is typically held to mean 'foreigner', often more specifically 'Portuguese', but again the exact etymology is unclear.
As the Hindu basket hilt moved northward in its diffusion it became used by the Rajputs as well. These remained typically mounted with long straight blades, but the Rajputs also favored the curved sabre, tulwar and the forward curved sosun pattah. The long stem on the pommel on these examples I have always considered to be primarily a Rajput feature with the usual caveat of extensive cross influences.
It is important to note that the khanda, much like the closely related 'pata', both with Mahratta and southern origins, were straight blade slashing weapons primarily. The pata and the katar used in the south and Deccan, both as transverse gripped slashing cut weapons. The Mahrattas abhored the thrust, and used these slashing techniques in thier swordsmanship. Often in martial arts demonstrations even today, the pata is used in pairs in what resembles almost a windmill type effect in the swordplay (primarily in Kerala and these regions).
Returning to the pair of basket hilt khandas with sabre blades, the Rajputs were also influenced by Mughal weapons as well as the Sikh weapons (they used the tulwar and khanda). The occurrence of curved blades on these type hilts is well established with varying types of blades, which will often alter the classification of the sword to either tegha, sosun pattah, and others.
These situations typically lead to the complexity and conundrums which characterize the study of these fascinating arms.
The makara hilt is as noted a shamshir type blade with the character of the zoomorphic theme more in line with weapons to these same northern regions as I have understood.
The most difficult part of understanding Indian arms and trying to regionalize or accurately classify them is the complexity of the history, which is key to trying to accomplish this...in degree. You are correct in the basic association with the khanda/Hindu basket hilt/firangi forms with the Mahratta, but their movements into the Deccan and south, as well as into the north, led to the widespread diffusion of these forms.
I hope this doesnt further cloud all of this, and my explanations are mostly my own perspectives so likely subject to different views or qualifications of others. Regardless, I hope they will give at least some overview to what is as noted a most complex area of study, but completely fascinating, as well as intriguing to the point of near obsession
for many of us.
All the best,
Jim