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Old 7th January 2012, 04:31 PM   #4
Jim McDougall
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
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It seems I have seen these markings in this configuration before as well, I think probably on the kirach Rick posted in 2005, but possibly elsewhere.
The hilt on this tulwar suggests Rajasthan, while the flared quillon terminals suggest Deccani influence typically Mughal. The silvering recalls bidri work but hard to see in image, is it inlaid?

The blade, which is not a kilij but an Indian blade with yelman as well known on northern tulwars of usually 18th century, seems to be of the ricassoed form well known with Rajput and Sikh examples. The markings seem later and they appear to reflect interpretations of earlier trade blades often with spurious inscriptions and the 'sickle marks'. The early blades from North Italy often had Genoa stamped between the sickles and usually groupings of dots in various arrangement usually at the ends of each arc. The apparant 'sun' or solar marks have possibility of reflecting either other earlier European 'cog wheel' marks seen on many blades,or in this case perhaps intended to represent the Suryavanshi lineage (Rajput sun lineage) along with the power/quality allegory of the markings.

The 'letters' or symbols between the dentated arcs may be intended to represent the Genoa or Fringia lettering often seen on Styrian sabre blades of late 16th-17th c. and carried forth in native interpretation. The sickle marks alone are commonly seen on Afghan 'paluoar' sabre blades which were notably favored by sword makers in those regions. Cross diffusion of weapons from the northern Afghan regions through Rajasthan into the Deccan was understandably usual.
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