Stan, just posted on concurrent thread 'kindjal and tulwar for review' showing another khanda with sabre blade and the stem on pommel, from Rajasthan, in this case as you have suggested probably from Bundi (northern) regions.
The purpose of the stem on these is claimed to be to afford the swordsman a two hand option, which seems more plausible with the long straight blade.
The Rajputs according to some references considered dismounting to fight more in accord with thier codes of chivalry, and in these cases of course the heavier straight blade and possible two hand use may have been the case.
These sabre bladed examples of course may reflect changes in strategy while maintaing traditional hilt forms.
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