Steve,
As far as I know Indian swords were never ritually bent. However, due to certain political events in India in the late 19th century and early 20th Century, swords and weapons became a sensitive subject in Indian law. This led to the Indian public becoming nervous about keeping such items.
I believe swords blades were bent, or 'folded', and swords kept in this state to show the authorities they were kept as a keepsake and not for use.
Indians also went to the extremes of breaking the blades, the more determined or educated would dismantle the sword and keep the blade separately.
Hope this helps!
Runjeet
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